jan barth + roman grasy: databot mouse

the ‘databot’ computer mouse concept model

developed by interaction design students jan barth and roman grasy, the ‘databot’ computer mouse provides tactile feedback to users regarding file size and other data, so that it physically takes longer to interact with large, ‘heavy’ files. not merely an interesting experiment, this type of touch feedback is found by many users to help with file scanning and preventing accidental deletion.

the ‘databot’ mouse can express the size of files and folders by braking with different force; alternatively users may set a custom weight for individual files, akin to the color-marking feature in macs. the device can also ‘breath’ at intervals expressing how much a file or folder has recently been opened or used. each of the three features can be switched on and off, and used upon mouse click or mouseover.

the designers: ‘data or data-streams are not tangible for us at all: we just see graphical abstractions of ones and zeros, visualized as folders, files or loading bars on our screens. [But we as designers] have seen the opportunity to intensify the existing abstraction of real objects, through the haptic channel. This way, we are able to create new metaphors and make technology feel more human.‘

the device was developed with VVVV and arduino.

video demo of the ‘databot’ mouse

concept rendering

via engadget