futurescope:

UIST 2013 – A Cuttable Multi-touch Sensor

We propose cutting as a novel paradigm for ad-hoc customization of printed electronic components. As a first instantiation, we contribute a printed capacitive multi-touch sensor, which can be cut by the end-user to modify its size and shape. This very direct manipulation allows the end-user to easily make real-world objects and surfaces touch-interactive, to augment physical prototypes and to enhance paper craft. We contribute a set of technical principles for the design of printable circuitry that makes the sensor more robust against cuts, damages and removed areas. This includes novel physical topologies and printed forward error correction. A technical evaluation compares different topologies and shows that the sensor remains functional when cut to a different shape.

Simon Olberding, Nan-Wei Gong, John Tiab, Joseph A. Paradiso, Jürgen Steimle. A Cuttable Multi-touch Sensor. Proceedings of UIST’13.

tl;dr Any surface can be transformed with a new sensor film into a touch screen. The film can be cut with scissors without losing its function.

[project page] [paper]