Morphees by Anne Roudaut, the project leader of a research team from the the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, is a set of six flexible prototypes that rethinks the way people interact with electronic mobile devices. Namely targeting the smartphone, tablet and gaming console industries, these designs essentially breaks down the physical barriers that they have traditionally set.
For instance, one of the Morphees by Anne Roudaut converts a smartphone into a gaming controller for a more comfortable grip while another caves inwards like a flower to shield its display from strangers. Interestingly, each design incorporates different materials including wood, paper, and plastic even though they all follow the same vision. Roudaut notes, "In the future, all mobile devices should change shape so that form factor better fits functionality."
Shape-Shifting Smartphones
The Morphees by Anne Roudaut Ushers In Flexible Mobile Devices
Trend Themes
1. Flexible Mobile Devices - The development of shape-shifting smartphones introduces a trend towards the creation of more flexible mobile devices that can adapt to user needs.
2. Customized User Experience - The Morphees project highlights an opportunity to offer customized user experiences based on each user's needs through adaptable smartphone designs.
3. Multi-functional Mobile Devices - The Morphees' ability to convert a smartphone into a gaming controller demonstrates a trend towards multi-functional mobile devices that can perform a range of tasks beyond traditional smartphone capabilities.
Industry Implications
1. Smartphone Industry - The Morphees project has the potential to disrupt the smartphone industry with its innovative designs that challenge traditional form factors and offer new capabilities.
2. Tablet Industry - The creation of flexible mobile devices could disrupt the tablet industry by offering users more versatile devices and potentially decreasing the need for separate smartphones and tablets.
3. Gaming Console Industry - The Morphees project's ability to convert a smartphone into a gaming controller demonstrates potential innovation opportunities in the gaming console industry by exploring new modes of interaction with gaming devices.