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Siafu: a shape-changing laptop concept for the blind

Siafu-laptop-for-the-blind.jpgThe Siafu (curiously named after terrifying army ants) is a concept laptop by designer Jonathan Lucas of Long Beach, California that would give people with impaired vision the tactile input they need to fully use a computer — from writing word documents to navigating the Internet.

Rather than relying on a display, the Siafu takes advantage of Magneclay, which is a synthesized oil-based material that takes on different shapes as it responds to electrical fields. In this way Magneclay can mirror the front page of Google, pictured above, or turn into a full braille keyboard.

Check out the gallery below for more views of the Siafu concept laptop.





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Computer World, with images courtesy Yanko Design

 
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(3) COMMENTS

Blind School IT:
When can we get then for my students!...More »


Comments

By moviedemon at 8:02 AM ON 04/03/08

An interesting idea- it makes you wonder which will come first- something like this, or full eye transplants, or synthetic eyes....

By artistic50 at 11:49 AM ON 04/04/08

This would be an amazing way for the blind to experience art!

By Blind School IT at 12:15 PM ON 04/04/08

When can we get then for my students!


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