Artificial Skins and Bones

Nature is a great designer. And as designers we can always and inspired by the pattern, the structure, the function that nature provides. Our own body is not an exception. Our skin is an amazing surface that can sense heat, moisture, touch. It can protect us from the UV rays, regulate body heat and heal wounds. Our bones constitute our body structure and how we move. they include complex joints that allow us to bend limbs in multiple angles, they have a certain flexibility to compensate the impact of our body weight, and they have self healing capabilities when broken.

Inspired by our own skin and bones, the course challenges you to design artificial skins and bones. The design can be applied onto our body to extend or restore its function, scale up/down and apply onto bigger/smaller surfaces or structures, or you can change parameters (for example, skin structure in 3 dimensions, bone structure with flexible materials) and think of completely different ways the design is applied.

The course offers two main approach:
eTextiles and soft circuitry to explore the sensing and flexible aspect of the skins and bones.

Parametric design method to explore the structures of skins and bones.

We will have a visit to the research lab of our project partner Ottobock to learn the state of the art of the artificial skins, bones and sensors in prosthetic engineering, as well as two hands-on workshop on eTextile sensors and Parametric design for 3D printing.

You will design a functioning prototype that illustrates a design design concept that explores both the function and aesthetic of artificial skins and/or bones.

The project is offered in collaboration with Ottobock and Fab Lab Berlin and will be held in English.

IMPORTANT:
The sign up of the course will be held during the Product Design introduction meeting on the October 12th (Monday) 12:00- at the Flughalle. Please make sure to attend this meeting.

About Ottobock
Ottobock – Mobility for people
For people with limited mobility Ottobock develops medical technology applications
and fitting solutions in the departments of Prosthetics, Orthotics, Mobility Solutions
(wheelchairs and rehabilitation aids), Neurorehabilitation and Medical Care.
Subsidiaries in 54 countries are proud to offer quality “Made in Germany” to users
worldwide while employing some 6.300 people. Since its founding in 1919 Ottobock
is family-run business that has been supporting the Paralympic Games since 1988
with its long term expertise.