TMS Features –
Touch-less Symphony for the Joy of Movement
#InConversationsWith STUCKLABS (@stuckdesign)
Image: Si Ying
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, large and small scale entertainment events were (sadly) cancelled, and timidly reappeared in hybrid form. We also all learnt to work remotely and navigate a new balance between physical and digital spaces. As the world adapts to our new normal, we find ourselves thinking about how tech-centric design can affect positive change in our everyday lives.
We recently caught up with Benjamin Xue from STUCKLABS for their recent release of the Kinetic Touchless 3.0 which showcases the joy and possibilities contactless technology can bring by expanding on the types of digital experiences physical interfaces can control - breaking away from typical expectations of contactless technology - all while deploying it for fun and enjoyment.
① What is your role in this project?
I was both the product designer and developer for this project. When I was working on this project, there were movement restrictions made in place by the government, and thus I had to ‘fly solo’ on this project.
② Can you tell us more about the intent behind Kinetic Touchless 3.0 and how does it work?
On a very high level of explaining how it works, the sensor in the conductor stand detects and tracks the position of the two hands. The position is aggregated, parsed and transferred via Bluetooth as an input to control the interaction.
We recently caught up with Benjamin Xue from STUCKLABS for their recent release of the Kinetic Touchless 3.0 which showcases the joy and possibilities contactless technology can bring by expanding on the types of digital experiences physical interfaces can control - breaking away from typical expectations of contactless technology - all while deploying it for fun and enjoyment.
① What is your role in this project?
I was both the product designer and developer for this project. When I was working on this project, there were movement restrictions made in place by the government, and thus I had to ‘fly solo’ on this project.
② Can you tell us more about the intent behind Kinetic Touchless 3.0 and how does it work?
Most touchless interaction is centered around pressing an invisible button in mid-air, but we wanted to showcase what other interactions touchless technology can bring about - and that was the genesis of Kinetic Touchless 3.0.
On a very high level of explaining how it works, the sensor in the conductor stand detects and tracks the position of the two hands. The position is aggregated, parsed and transferred via Bluetooth as an input to control the interaction.
③ How was this presented to the user and what was their response like?
We booked an actual theatre to allow the kids to feel like they are the real conductor! We had prepared a small red carpet to welcome the kids with a podium for them to interact with the Kinetic Touchless 3.0. At first the kids were a little wary about the conductor’s stand. However, as they interacted more with it, they understood what that conductor stand can do! The kids were beaming with joy as the interaction was highly engaging - there was immediate audio and visual feedback with every gesture and movement of their hands.
We booked an actual theatre to allow the kids to feel like they are the real conductor! We had prepared a small red carpet to welcome the kids with a podium for them to interact with the Kinetic Touchless 3.0. At first the kids were a little wary about the conductor’s stand. However, as they interacted more with it, they understood what that conductor stand can do! The kids were beaming with joy as the interaction was highly engaging - there was immediate audio and visual feedback with every gesture and movement of their hands.
④ Designers have had to respond to the pandemic challenge very swiftly. How do you see the future as a design leader leveraging new technologies?
The future is full of opportunities for designers, or anyone, to explore and exploit! Ever so often, new technologies are being invented and even more technologies are being democratised. This means that there are an increasing amount of areas and opportunities for designers to dabble with. As the old cliché goes, ‘you are only limited by your imagination’.
⑤ In what ways do you think designers will have to change the way they approach any project from here on?
In my own opinion, the bar for designers has risen over the years. Designers, now ,would have to take into account the different considerations from different stakeholders and also view the object/problem from multiple perspectives like marketing, manufacturing, after-sales service and profitability. And so designers would have to improve themselves continuously in order not to fall behind with time.
⑥ Tell us more about any new works we can expect to see from STUCKLABS.
Currently in the STUCKLABS’ pipeline, there are a few productive apps and interactive apps in the works. In one of the apps, we have developed a quick sketching app to help designers generate more ideas and facilitate the process to post it onto any online whiteboard platform. The interactive app is in its infancy, and it’s a totally new interaction, so do look forward to it!
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Watch behind-the-scenes of this engaging experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp--5-YZ2n4&ab_channel=STUCKDesign
The future is full of opportunities for designers, or anyone, to explore and exploit! Ever so often, new technologies are being invented and even more technologies are being democratised. This means that there are an increasing amount of areas and opportunities for designers to dabble with. As the old cliché goes, ‘you are only limited by your imagination’.
⑤ In what ways do you think designers will have to change the way they approach any project from here on?
In my own opinion, the bar for designers has risen over the years. Designers, now ,would have to take into account the different considerations from different stakeholders and also view the object/problem from multiple perspectives like marketing, manufacturing, after-sales service and profitability. And so designers would have to improve themselves continuously in order not to fall behind with time.
⑥ Tell us more about any new works we can expect to see from STUCKLABS.
Currently in the STUCKLABS’ pipeline, there are a few productive apps and interactive apps in the works. In one of the apps, we have developed a quick sketching app to help designers generate more ideas and facilitate the process to post it onto any online whiteboard platform. The interactive app is in its infancy, and it’s a totally new interaction, so do look forward to it!
-
Watch behind-the-scenes of this engaging experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp--5-YZ2n4&ab_channel=STUCKDesign
About STUCK Design
STUCK is consulting agency based in Singapore with a focus in User Experience, Industrial Design and Research.
STUCK is consulting agency based in Singapore with a focus in User Experience, Industrial Design and Research.
A Pantheon of
Contemporary Masters
To connect for editorial or advertising opportunities, drop us a note at info@statecreative.com.sg
To connect for editorial or advertising opportunities, drop us a note at info@statecreative.com.sg
