"Robotics aren't the only way to design objects that transform," said John Brownlee at Fast Company. Students at MIT's Tangible Media Group have created "origami-like" inflatables dubbed Aeromorphs that can transform into shapes when filled with air.
The technology works a bit like sophisticated bubble wrap, with air pockets sewn into paper, plastic, or fabric. When inflated, the flat material transforms into its intended shape. Aeromorphs could open the door to new kinds of toys, wearable devices, packaging methods, car air bags, and more. Researchers using the technology could create flat-pack sneakers "that can be pumped full of air to be worn," or a backpack that changes its shape depending on what's inside. Toy makers could "design soft teddy bears that hug kids back." And like bubble wrap, Aeromorphs could also be used for packaging, by creating thin, light airbags that wrap around a product during shipping.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Violent videos of Charlie Kirk’s death are renewing debate over online censorshipTalking Points Social media ‘promises unfiltered access, but without guarantees of truth and without protection from harm’
-
What led to Poland invoking NATO’s Article 4 and where could it lead?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION After a Russian drone blitz, Warsaw’s rare move to invoke the important NATO statute has potentially moved Europe closer to continent-wide warfare
-
Africa could become the next frontier for space programsThe Explainer China and the US are both working on space applications for Africa
