ADC26: Arturia - Morphing Hardware

We spoke to Daire from Arturia at Audio Dev 26 about Shape-Changing Interfaces, the subject of his talk on future hardware control surfaces and human-computer interaction.

The discussion centred on the gap between evolving firmware and fixed physical controls. Arturia instruments such as MiniFreak receive ongoing firmware updates, but their knobs, sliders and buttons remain physically unchanged. The talk looked at how future interfaces may adapt their form to match changing functions.

Technologies covered include shape memory alloys, which retain a form when heated and return when cooled, plus microfluidic surfaces that pump fluid to create raised buttons or forms. Pin arrays also form part of the research, using actuated grids to create shapes and patterns on a surface.

Current Arturia hardware already changes function rather than shape. The MiniBrute 49 LED matrix detects X, Y and pressure, while the PolyBrute includes the Morphee controller. Fully morphable hardware remains research-led and is likely around 10 to 15 years away.
More Info: https://www.arturia.com/

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