Knitted Textiles, Tactility, and Haptics for Dynamic Surfaces

Ilkyaz Sarimehmetoglu, Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Collaborator: Lucas Yan, Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Consultation with: Faizan Darsot, College of Engineering

Faculty Advisor: Sean Ahlquist, Associate Professor, Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Our project “Knitted Textiles, Tactility, and Haptics for Dynamic Surfaces” is a textile material system that aims to develop pneumatically actuated knitted textiles creating varied haptic sensations by manipulating texture and pressure. The desired outcome is a material system capable of transforming everyday surfaces into interactive and adaptive haptic environments. It is proposing to be a retro-fitting surface that transforms the mundane and benign studying and leisure environments into colorful and lively atmospheres. We are realizing this aim by building a 1/1 scale prototype in the form of an interactive installation. This project is being realized within the scope of the Master of Science in Architecture Design and Research, Digital and Material Technologies (MSDMT) program, graduation semester Capstone project.

The project components consist of (1) multi-material CNC knitted textiles, (2) an integrated pneumatic system and its design, and (3) an interface for actuation and interaction. For the successful integration of these components, electronic assemblies for the pneumatic system and sensors and their integration for the interaction interface should be working together within the textile which makes the project multifaceted and gives us a significant opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration.

The project is planned to be realized by December 13, 2024 as we have completed the research phase and are currently working on the implementation. In that sense, at the end of this semester, ArtsEngine would be able to realize the materials. Group members are Lucas Yan and Ilkyaz Sarimehmetoglu will be the lead researchers and artists for the installation as Lucas has been working on the pneumatic system design and simulation and Ilkyaz has been leading the CNC knitted textiles with the careful supervision of Prof. Sean Ahlquist.

The project showcases system design opportunities in the area of CNC knitting, electronics and user experience design, which refers to an interdisciplinary design technology product that facilitates artistic expression in the form of a human-scale installation. For the electronic components’ design, we have been collaborating with Electrical Engineering and Computer Science students in Duderstadt Design Lab. For further investigation in that area, we would like the support for materials and products. We are currently searching for the answers to what is a “good” interaction between the installation and the spectator, and what are the diverse sensorial feelings that arise from the interaction itself.

For the implementation to find answers to these questions, in addition to students spending time in study and leisure areas in the campus, we will be collaborating with students from School of Music, Theatre and Dance as the installation proposes a playful ground, an artistic expression in search of different sensorial definitions. Especially for dancers in the campus, the installation is proposing a ground where bodily expression is complimented by kinetic and cutaneous haptics on the multi-material textile.

In conclusion, the “Knitted Textiles, Tactility, and Haptics for Dynamic Surfaces” project offers a groundbreaking exploration into the intersection of digital fabrication, haptic technology, and interactive media environments. This multidisciplinary effort, supported by collaborative partnerships across the University of Michigan, bridges architecture, engineering, and the performing arts.