Follow Me Elastically | Silicon Enclosures

This project focuses on the ability of an object to change shape through material properties trigerred by sensor data. The major deformation of this object is achieved by a combination of actuator motions and material properties through a soft joint - rigid panel structure. Working with varying elastic properties of silicon, a skin was developed which was a combination of an elastic stretchable grade of silicone, cast with a harder non-stretchable silicone panel system of varying sizes. The panel layout was computer generated based on curvature analysis - with varying sized panels which interlocked with one another upon deformation of the surface. Embedded with photocell sensors and servo motors, the objects arms were designed to deform through material elastic properties to reveal a translucent skin beneath the paneling system, allowing for varying intensities of light diffused along the under-skin of the object.