Transformable Robotic Architecture
Aug 09, 2009Transformable Robotic Architecture
May 2006 – Keywords: Robotics, Touch Screen, Gesture, Cognitive Control
Using swarm-like interactive self-similar robots, architecture has the ability to interact and respond to real-time human stimuli.
This project started off as an internal research project but quickly blossomed into full-scale built prototypes.
Recent advancements in the production of living materials and in the logic behind the kinetics of robots have brought both fields closer together. These innovations have started to blur the lines of what we think of as “living.” Now robots made of parts that can communicate with each other act the same as living materials. They can be considered “alive” because they respond to changing information and conditions, much like living materials can.
Digital technology and the mechanics that allow spaces to be kinetic can be embedded in the physical environment we live in. The form of architecture is not predetermined. Based on real time information exchanges, the architecture instead plays a more active role in suggesting new ways for inhabitants to use space.
Recently, technological advancements have been made in robotics that look at new ways of designing systems to be more interactive. Spaces can be constructed of parts that have the ability to communicate with one another and constantly reshape our experience.
Self-similar Nano-scale Robots
The initial concept for Meta-morphic Architecture started in 2003 as an internal project. Over the past seven years, we have been rethinking and reworking the original concept. Digital technology and the mechanics that allow spaces to be kinetic can be embedded in the physical environment we live in. The form of architecture is not predetermined. Based on real time information exchanges, the architecture instead plays a more active role in suggesting new ways for inhabitants to use space. As it is with most of our projects scale is extremely critical. The goal of this project was to create a modular system that could exist at a micro-scale that would enable the resolution of the architecture to be optimized for human use.
Reprogrammable Matter
The goal of this project was to design and build a series of robots that could be reprogrammed to form different types of structures in real-time. These structures could be predetermined or responds to various interactive inputs. We developed a number of different types of modules that could come together at specific moments for a specific affect. In this image structural, sensing, computation and soft surface material modules organize to create an interactive chair.
Kit of Parts
Individual modules can be purchased to enable a inhabitants to reprogram their environment. In this image an inhabitant has purchased a bag of structural modules.
Prototypes
This images shows one of the many prototypes we built using digital fabrication technology. Various modules come together to form a surface. This image show another prototype that demonstrates how modules can rollover each other.
Variable Materials
While developing this project we also created a series of prototypes that exemplify the different types of modules. We build hundreds of modules that represent structural, hvac, lighting, sensing, computation, screens and surface materials.
Robust Connections
Modules can connect to each other through male and female connections. If the system looses power then the modules will continue to be attached.
Smart Movement
Because of the rhombic dodecahedron shape modules can nest between modules and roll around each other on a self-similar face. This image shows one module rolling around another module. The intelligence and hardware for each module would be embedded within the module itself.
Working Prototypes
This image shows a working prototype whereby modules can rotate around each other to create optimized states.
Toward Transformable Architecture
Since module can move around each other to create different states, inhabitants can literally reprogram their environments in real-time. Architecture can change at both a local and global level. This project is part of a much bigger dream to build fully reprogrammable space. We will continue to develop this concept over the next 20 years.
We continue to build prototypes for this project. The last round of robot prototypes can be seen here:
We have built a separate website to showcase our thinking behind this project. View here.
We also wrote and article for Seed Magazine that discusses the possibilities for robotic modules. View here.