u-Texture: Self-organizable universal panels for creating smart surroundings

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel way to allow non-expert users to create smart, surroundings. Non-smart everyday objects such as furniture and appliances found in homes and offices can be converted to smart, ones by attaching computers, sensors, and devices. In this way, non-smart, components that, form non-smart objects are made smart in advance. For our first prototype, we have developed u-Texture, a self-organizable universal panel that works as a building block. The u-Texture can change its own behavior autonomously through recognition of its location, its inclination, and surrounding environment by assembling these factors physically. We have demonstrated several applications to confirm that u-Textures can create smart surroundings easily without expert, users. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.