Human capability without the assistance of today’s technology, engineering and products is a humbling thought. How could we manage without computers, hearing aids, electricity or dentures? The truth is, people did manage, before any of these were invented, produced or implemented. Whether or not we really need these advances is a different matter; they seem indispensible today. Strangely, this also means we’re likely to look back a few years from now and wonder how we managed without the tools that haven’t been invented yet.
Time bringing change has always been an accepted notion, but the steep technological acceleration of the past few decades can actually make the future seem frightening.
Can we accurately predict anything about life 30 years on, other than that it will be very different from life now? What would our abilities be and how would they make us feel? How will product designers shape our progress report as a society?
Take for example, The Third Thumb. The project extends our physical abilities through a thumb extension for the hand. Could anyone have imagined this new finger-like addition to the body as necessary or possible, until now? What new activities would this ability enable for us? Musicians come to mind immediately. Could this extension of our capability inspire new forms of music? Should this invention produce ripple effects around our world, we could trace it back to this singular moment of design.
Let’s talk about Scroll, a ring designed to allow the wearer to precisely interact with augmented reality. It brings about a more practical and unhindered way to control content that is invisible to others. While augmented reality is yet to be a real part of our everyday life, designers have already lined up products and services for its easy implementation. What if the technology fails to make it big, just like QR codes, Segways or radio newspapers? It’s a shame to think of the time and energy spent on designing objects that don’t live up to their potential to change the world. How might we be able to truly predict future products in a fast-changing world?
Maybe engineering and technology could be applied with more surety to products that serve existing competence needs, like those for the disabled. For example, Maptic, a navigation system for the blind, is a discreet way to assist them through their everyday journeys. Using today’s technology, the project invests in addressing a timeless need.
But in a possible future where everyone gets used to the idea of a third thumb, will those without it feel ‘disabled’? Where will this continual upgrade of human ability take us and will the leaps be traced back to the uncontrollable eureka-moments of designers and engineers? A guiding framework that enables foreseeability could go a long way in managing our progress.
How might we add a dimension of structure to our hastened technological progress? Could the world organise itself around a set of guiding principles that inspire predictability and a coherent vision of the future? Or will this hinder the joys of creative pursuit and a world of possibilities? Just as with the Paris Climate Accord, we may run into those that don’t believe in aligning with the rest of the world, and that isn’t a comforting thought.
The Third Thumb>London, England>2017
Dani Clode
The Third Thumb is a 3D printed thumb extension for your hand, controlled by your feet. The project investigates the relationship between the body and prosthetic technology in new ways. It is part tool, part experience and part self-expression; a model by which we better understand human response to artificial extensions.
The origin of the word ‘prosthesis’ meant ’to add, put onto’; not to fix or replace, but to extend. The project is inspired by this word origin, exploring human augmentation and aiming to reframe prosthetics as extensions of the body.
Additional info: www.daniclode.com
Scroll>London, England>2017
Nat Martin
There is currently no practical way to interact with headset-based augmented reality. Current input methods are imprecise, tiring and an obstacle to interacting with the real world.
Scroll is a complete augmented reality interaction solution comprised of a ring and complimentary user interface. The ring allows for precise and convenient manipulation of content in three dimensions. Interacting with the ring does not require the user to raise their arms in the air and wearing the ring does not pose an obstacle to real world physical interactions.
Additional info: www.spatialize.xyz
Maptic>London, England>2017
Emilios Farrington-Arnas
Maptic is a wearable navigation system for the blind. The collection of devices can be worn like a necklace and combined with feedback units that can be clipped onto clothing or worn around the wrist.
Connected to a voice-controlled iPhone app via GPS, the sensors vibrate to guide the wearer from place to place with the added benefit of being able to track obstacles at chest level or higher.
Additional info: www.emilios.co.uk
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