The cardboard airplane with wooden wings attempts to fly in the sky using a remote control and a set of exposed propellers. Built by Peter Sripol and his team, the personal air vehicle is lightweight enough to carry one person to the sky, or at least it tries to. The project begins with the fuselage, which is built entirely from cardboard panels cut into side profiles and glued together. 

The shape follows a simple airplane body form that narrows toward the tail and widens near the seating area, and the team reinforces high-load areas using doubled, tripled, and stacked layers of cardboard. These reinforcements are placed where the pilot sits, where the wings connect, and where the landing loads are transferred. Then, hot glue is used as the main adhesive because it sets quickly and allows them to assemble the cardboard airplane with wooden wings as quickly as possible.

all images courtesy of Peter Sripol via Youtube

Plywood embedded inside the wing to strengthen it

The two-part videos document how the cardboard airplane with wooden wings comes to life. The first part focuses on the design of the personal aircraft and in the second part, the creator Peter Sripol sits inside it to test if it can fly. These clips show the team designing a layered floor with internal cardboard ribs arranged like corrugated slats to create a box structure that can support the pilot’s weight without collapsing. 

The small cutouts let the pilot see forward and to the sides, and they can’t see so much because the intended flight profile is straight, short, and low. The controls are on the sides, with plans for rudder pedals on the floor. The wing attachment is one of the main challenges because the cardboard isn’t an ideal material under compression, so the team embeds small plywood plates inside the wing structure to strengthen it. The wings are also attached using bolts and reinforced cardboard doublers.

the cardboard airplane with wooden wings attempts to fly in the sky using a remote control and a set of propellers

Personal air vehicle hopes for a second chance

The wing box uses folded cardboard sections to create stiffness. For the tail, the team adds a horizontal stabilizer, elevator, vertical stabilizer, and rudder, built from folded cardboard skins that act as closed boxes. Propulsion comes from electric motors mounted on a plywood-reinforced cardboard structure, while the batteries, speed controllers, and wiring are mounted inside the fuselage. The airspeed, altitude, and attitude sensors are also housed in a cardboard enclosure made from a pizza box. 

Once everything is glued together and set, it is time for the team, led by Peter Sripol, to test the cardboard airplane with wooden wings. After several attempts, the personal aircraft can’t make it high, and at one point, it abruptly lands, or safely crashes, in the field as soon as the platform carrying speeds away. The creator has high hopes, though. He believes that his cardboard airplane with wooden wings can fly, and high this time, but for now, he will have to adjust its setup and make some improvements before trying it again.

the personal air vehicle is lightweight enough to carry one person to the sky, or at least it tries to

there are also taped parts around the fuselage

the personal air vehicle lands safely after a few seconds in the air

view of the cockpit

front view of the paper aircraft

project info:

name: Cardboard airplane

creator: Peter Sripol | @petersripol

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Kevin Yang designs concept Commi Board, an attachable board that allows engineers to make their electronic prototypes behind their phones. A way to let people learn and practice electronics, the magnetic device brings prototyping, coding, and testing into a single system centered on a smartphone. Instead of asking users to buy computers, microcontrollers, and displays, Commi Board uses the phone as the main interface and processing unit. The attachable board for electronic prototypes also connects through USB-C or Bluetooth.

Commi Board is modular, as users place electronic components directly onto the board. Connections are guided through a dedicated app, which reflects the physical layout of the circuit and helps users understand how components relate to code. Errors appear during the process rather than at the end to avoid a trial-and-error approach. A key design choice is simulation since instead of requiring a separate microcontroller for every test, the attachable board for electronic prototypes simulates microcontroller behavior using the phone’s computing power. Users, then, can write and run code without flashing firmware onto external chips.

all images courtesy of Kevin Yang

Dedicated app allows users to share their projects for others

Programming is offered through four methods with the Commi Board. Users can write code using an AI-based natural language system, visual programming blocks, Scratch-like logic, or a fully integrated development environment. Beginners can start with guided logic and move toward text-based programming as their understanding grows since the system does not force a single learning path. Real-time feedback is central to how the design helps users. With this, voltage states, logic changes, and circuit responses are shown immediately on the phone screen. This makes cause and effect visible, and instead of reading theory about signals or pins, users see results as they interact with the system. It is a way for the designer to support learning through direct action.

The app includes cloud storage and a project-sharing space. Users can save projects, reload them, or study work made by others. This allows learning beyond individual use. Shared projects function as examples, references, and starting points. The board can load these projects without rebuilding circuits from scratch, saving time and reducing frustration. Tech-wise, the system integrates printed circuit board design, GPIO communication, USB-C 3.2, BLE, and Bluetooth, choices that allow stable data transfer between the phone and the board. So far. the project remains in development, with some API and software layers still in mock-up form. Early prototypes revealed connection and stability issues, which informed later iterations. The project began in June 2024 at the Royal College of Art in London as a student initiative, which later on won the A’ Design Award in the Education category.

Kevin Yang designs Commi Board, an attachable board for electronic prototypes

users can put the device on the back of their smartphones

detailed view of the board

there’s a dedicated app to help the users with the circuit paths, voltage, and more

project info:

name: Commi Board

designer: Kevin Yang | @Kevy.Design

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Meet ARIA, the modular electric city car created by the student team TU/ecomotive that drivers can repair themselves. Designed to last longer, the vehicle changes the status quo in the automotive industry by giving the users more control over repairs and maintenance instead of relying on manufacturers and shops. The main idea behind ARIA is simple: a car that people can fix themselves and that is functional for daily use and more sustainable over time. The modular electric city car is built from separate parts that work as modules, including the battery units, the body panels, and the electronic elements inside the car. 

When one part stops working, the user replaces only that part, so there’s no need to visit a dealer, and it reduces long repair times and high repair costs. The design helps users save time and money, and it reduces waste because working parts do not get thrown away. The battery system shows this approach clearly, too, because usually, electric cars have one large battery that sits deep inside the chassis. If there is a failure, the entire pack often needs to be removed with special tools. ARIA uses just six small battery modules, each module weighing around 12 kilos. A user can lift one out by hand, and it works in the same simple way as removing household batteries from a remote control. This means a user can replace one broken module at home without touching the other five.

all images courtesy of Eindhoven University of Technology | photos by Sarp Gürel

Vehicle parts that owners themselves can replace 

The exterior of the modular electric city car follows the same logic because ARIA’s body panels attach to the car like clip-on pieces. If a panel gets damaged, the user clicks it off and clicks a new one on, so they don’t need to repaint or rebuild a part of the body. When a user removes a panel, the inside components become visible and accessible, allowing the user to check wires or small parts and replace them without taking the car to a shop. The system was created by a student from Summa, with their team coming from the group in TU Eindhoven and Fontys. The design of the vehicle responds to a growing problem that any electric city cars are hard to repair. Their batteries are built into the frame, the parts are not standard, and independent garages often cannot get the correct components. 

Technicians trained to handle EV battery systems are also limited, which brings long waiting times, and because of this, some vehicles are discarded even when most of the parts still work. ARIA tries to solve this by giving repair power back to users. The modular electric city car includes clear manuals, standard parts, a toolbox inside the car, and an app that shows the car’s condition and helps users understand what is wrong and which part needs attention. This supports the idea of the Right to Repair, which says that users should be able to fix the products they own. The EU has new rules that support repair rights, but these rules focus on household appliances and electronics. The team hopes ARIA encourages policymakers to expand the rules to cars as well to enlighten manufacturers on how they can lower global waste and show that any user should be able to fix their own modular electric city car.

Meet ARIA, the modular electric city car created by the student team TU/ecomotive

the doors swing upwards

the main idea behind ARIA is simple: a car that people can fix themselve

the modular electric city car is built from separate parts that work as modules

the student teams from TU Eindhoven, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, and Summa College

inside the fixable vehicle

detailed view of the steering wheel

view of the toolbox included in the vehicle

view of the two seats with ample cushioning for driving comfort

project info:

name: ARIA

institutions: TU Eindhoven, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Summa | @tueindhoven, @fontys_hogeschool, @summaonderwijs

photographer: Sarp Gürel | @sarpgurelphotography, @sarpgrl

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Alef Aeronautics begins the production of the dubbed world’s first flying car, which is currently being hand-assembled by its team in California. Announced months after the vehicle took its first flight in early 2025, the mobility firm says that the production of the Alef Model A Ultralight, which is the first version meant for users, has started on schedule. It is made by hand at the Alef manufacturing facility in Silicon Valley, and only a small number of early customers are expected to receive these first personal hovering cars. These customers are set out to help Alef test the vehicle in real-world situations, and the firm adds that it will train the users and check that all rules and safety conditions are followed. The production process takes time because the dubbed world’s first flying car goes through thorough steps, with its parts being built by robotic systems, industrial machines, and hand assembly. 

Each car needs months to complete, with tests necessary on each piece, including test flights, to ensure safety after the build. This helps the team improve the design before the shift to larger-scale manufacturing in the future. So far, the Model A comes with Distributed Electric Propulsion, meaning the power system is split across several units to prevent failures. The car also includes up to eight layers of backup systems for key components as well as real-time checkups on a thousand points of diagnostics. It also features an obstacle detection system, automatic avoidance, and a glide landing mode, as well as a full-vehicle ballistic parachute installed for emergency use.

all images courtesy of Alef Aeronautics

Personal air vehicle with no exposed propellers

Alef says the Model A Ultralight can take off vertically and doesn’t need a runway or a special landing space like a vertiport. It can drive on the road like a normal car, then lift into the air when needed. It is also fully electric, so it doesn’t need fuel. The mobility firm adds that the dubbed world’s first flying car uses less energy per trip than other electric vehicles or air taxis. The design of the flying car comes from earlier experiments with another model, the Model Zero, which is a research vehicle used for updates and tests.

The Model Zero’s goal is to evolve into the final Model A product, which is the one currently being hand-assembled and produced after the team announced its production phase. The Model A has a driving range of about 200 miles and a flying range of about 110 miles. The cabin design uses a gimbal system, which allows it to stay steady while the rest of the body changes position during flight. The dubbed world’s first flying car uses an elevon setup for movement in the air, and as seen in the video, there are no exposed propellers, which helps keep the vehicle safe and quiet and supports space efficiency in cities. So far, the firm hasn’t indicated the delivery date yet.

Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef, near the flying car during a flight test

in early 2025, the vehicle flew over a car during its test flight

the personal air vehicle has no exposed propellers

the production of the Alef Model A Ultralight, the first version meant for users, has started on schedule

there’s also a full-vehicle ballistic parachute installed for emergency use

Alef Aeronautics team members manufacturing a section of the flying car’s wing

project info:

name: Alef Model A Ultralight

mobility firm: Alef Aeronautics | @alef_aeronautics_inc

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Forte3D introduces 3D printed cellos and violins that use carbon fiber as the main material instead of wood, providing resistance to cracks and deformities. Assembled by hand, the string instruments adopt the lightweight material, which doesn’t react to temperature and humidity and avoids any morphing when the environment changes over time. The idea stems from lead inventor and CEO Alfred Goodrich and Yale Engineering senior student Elijah Lee, co-founders of Forte3D, when Elijah was asked by Alfred, his high school orchestra director, if he could use his 3D-printing skills to help design a cello that was strong, low-cost, and easy for more people to use. The pair worked with computer-aided design tools so they could test different thicknesses of the instrument. 

They could shape the sound in a more controlled way with this, and Elijah Lee explained it helped them ‘dial in’ the acoustics because they controlled every part of the structure. The final design of the cello doesn’t copy a traditional wooden one, as the top and back panels are made from flat sheets of carbon fiber. The ribs, neck, and scroll are made by 3D printing, using polymer material. Some old parts stay the same, including the sound post, fingerboard, and bridge. The resulting instruments allow musicians to bring their cello or violin to places without fear of damage, all the while keeping the quality of the sound the same as their wooden counterparts.

all images courtesy of Forte3D and Yale University

Adjustable string height system for each musician’s needs

The company adds that playing comfort is essential since, if the strings are too high or too low, the musician feels pain in the hands and their personal technique becomes harder. The team added an adjustable string height system so each player can move the strings up or down on their 3D printed violin or cello. They only need a small tool, and luckily, this comes with the carbon fiber-made instrument. The cello comes with tuning pegs that move smoothly as well as devices for stopping wolf tones. The bridges sit in the correct place with the help of a printed guide, and all these design parts work together to support playing and sound production.

Forte3D’s violin also allows players to adjust its string height. Its body has a hole at the back to support sound flow, and the violin ships with strings and tuning pegs that make tuning easier. Like the cello, it can handle weather changes and bumps. Compared to wood, cleaning is simpler with the carbon fiber-made musical instruments because a cloth and common household cleaners are enough to polish them, unlike with wood, which may need special products for maintenance. For the team, their 3D printed violins and cellos aren’t about style. It’s about what people need, they say, which means less worry about damage, easier carrying, simpler care, and lower cost.

by using carbon fiber, the instruments may have a sturdier frame

detailed view of the string system

assembled by hand, the string instruments adopt the lightweight material

detailed view of the wooden bridge

Forte3D co-founder and Yale Engineering senior student, Elijah Lee with the 3D printed cello

side profile of the cello

view of the 3D printed violin

the violin can also resist deformities and cracks

the parts are assembled by hand

rear view of the violin

project info:

name: Carbon Fiber Cello and Violin

company: Forte3D | @forte3dinstruments

The post 3D printed cello modernizes 300-year-old instrument with non-warping carbon fiber appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Burls Art creates an electric guitar from air and recycled cardboard that still plays and works as a musical instrument. The craftsman’s idea comes from a cardboard guitar made in a collaboration between Fender and Signal ten years ago. That guitar used corrugated cardboard as the main material, and the designer thought of upgrading the first version using the same materials but in a different way. He wanted to design a working electric guitar that is very light in weight, around three or four pounds, and since recycled corrugated cardboard is mostly air, it can weigh much less than a normal wooden instrument. While the cardboard is strong for its weight, the challenge is to make the guitar strong enough to hold string tension. For the current model, Burls Art uses laminated sheets of recycled cardboard without casting the body in resin. 

Instead, each layer of cardboard is soaked in resin before stacking to make the paper material stable and strong enough while keeping the hollow flutes inside each sheet. After lamination, the cardboard gives him a thick blank that’s easy to cut and shape with woodworking tools. He finishes the process by removing the excess resin and then planing the surface with a router sled. The body of Burls Art’s musical instrument made of recycled cardboard follows the shape of a standard electric guitar. The designer switches from used shipping boxes to new cardboard sheets to avoid dents or folds that could change the final shape, and the laminated body also shows the corrugated openings to create a surface where some parts of the guitar can be seen through from certain angles.

all images courtesy of Burls Art

Resin removes air pockets in the paper-made instrument

The neck of the electric guitar made of recycled cardboard needs more strength than the body because it holds the strings tight. The craftsman then investigates two ways to orient the cardboard sheets: cutting through the long side of the flutes or cutting along the short side. In the video he uploaded on Youtube, Burls Art also tests an alternated pattern because a cardboard chair shown at the London Design Museum uses this method. 

A simple force test shows that alternating the pattern increases strength, so for the final neck, the designer fully saturates the cardboard in resin to remove most air pockets and create a solid structure that can resist string pressure. Inside the neck, a truss rod is added, and a thin strip of maple wood covers the truss rod slot to allow adjustment of the neck if the strings pull too hard. The fretboard is cut into shape, and each is measured and sawed with a jig. After that, the neck is carved to remove weight and make the guitar more balanced. 

Burls Art uses laminated sheets of recycled cardboard without casting the body in resin

lightweight guitar made of ‘air’

The electric guitar made of recycled cardboard also uses two single-coil pickups and a bridge plate installed on the back of the body. Because screws cannot hold well in cardboard alone, an inset support block made from a resin-soaked offcut is added. The electronics cover uses magnets and metal screw heads hidden inside the flutes.

The final finishing steps include sanding, cleaning the cardboard flutes, and applying a clear coat that protects the material from moisture and makes the surface smoother.  After assembly, Burls Art plays his electric guitar made of recycled cardboard, and it seems to work well. He says that it weighs light, and the body structure gives a visual effect where the viewer can see through the guitar from the right angle. The video also documents the making of the musical instrument for viewers who’d like to build their own in their workshops.

each layer of cardboard is soaked in resin before stacking

a bridge plate is installed on the back of the body

the designer switches from used shipping boxes to new cardboard sheets to avoid dents

the body structure gives a visual effect where the viewer can see through the guitar from the right angle

detailed view of the instrument

project info:

name: I Built This Guitar Out of Cardboard

design: Burls Art | @burlsart

The post electric guitar made of air and recycled cardboard plays as functional musical instrument appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Designer Nico Tangara continues his ongoing exploration of analog-digital integration with a project that transforms a vintage rotary telephone into a multifunctional device combining a music player and an AI-based voice interface. The design maintains the rotary dial as the primary input system, repurposing its mechanical pulse signals for contemporary digital commands.

The project began with the restoration of an original rotary phone. Most internal components were preserved, while elements incompatible with low-voltage digital hardware, such as the high-voltage bell mechanism, were removed. Corroded wiring was replaced to ensure stable electrical performance. The existing reset mechanism, activated either by placing the handset on the cradle or pressing the front button, was kept as part of the operational logic.

all images courtesy of Nico Tangara

Integrating AI and Digital Processing into an Analog Framework

A key technical process involved interpreting the rotary dial’s mechanical pulses and converting them into digital signals. This established an interface where each number functions as a programmable command within the updated system.

For its AI voice functionality, the device integrates the ChatGPT voice model, Whisper for speech-to-text transcription, and Google TTS for output. Initial testing was conducted on a Raspberry Pi 4 for rapid processing, later transitioned to a Raspberry Pi 2 to suit lighter usage demands. Audio performance was enhanced by replacing the original speaker and microphone with components connected through a USB sound card, offering improved sound quality and straightforward compatibility with the Raspberry Pi. Through these modifications, designer Nico Tangara’s project retains the physical character of the rotary phone while introducing a digital framework that supports new forms of interaction.

vintage rotary phone reimagined as a hybrid analog–digital device

the rotary dial remains the primary command interface

mechanical pulse signals translated into digital inputs

corroded wiring replaced to stabilize electrical performance

original internal components preserved during restoration

mechanical pulse signals translated into digital inputs

rotary pulses mapped to programmable digital commands

interior hardware blends restored components with digital modules

integrating AI voice interaction into a classic telephone form

project info:

name: Modern Rotary Phone
designer: Nico Tangara | @nicotangara

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post vintage rotary telephone transforms into analog-digital hybrid music player and AI voice chat appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Mirumi, a mini attachable robot, clings tightly onto bag handles and moves its head when users pet it. No longer a prototype, the portable device looks around and reacts to what happens near it or on it using the ‘special’ algorithm that the design team has developed. To recap, Yukai Engineering, the mastermind behind the project, debuted Mirumi at CES 2025, and back then it was a prototype. Soon, the mini attachable robot is expected to come to life, at least mechanically, as a fashion accessory users can clip on their bag handles and even belt loops.

Mirumi has a head, a body, and two arms that wrap around straps or poles. The shape lets the robot hold onto thin and thick objects without falling, and the compact size of the device can fit in the user’s two hands. Its furry skin resembling teddy bears is soft to touch, and the team says they use materials sourced from Japan and in custom colors to make the device’s smooth finish and its friendly outline. The design team works on how the mini attachable robot Mirumi looks at people, with its neck motor lifting the head to make it look up. The timing of the movement is programmed so the robot sometimes turns away again before it looks back.

all images courtesy of Mirumi Tokyo and Yukai Engineering

portable device that shakes its head slowly when low in battery

To make it move, the Yukai Engineering team installs motors inside the body of the mini attachable robot Mirumi. These motors tilt and turn the head in different directions, and they also help the device respond to three main inputs: sound, touch, and internal triggers. When someone pats the head, a sensor in the head detects the action. When a sound or voice is near, two sound sensors inside the body pick it up. Signals travel through a chip that controls the motor actions, and this system allows many reactions without repeated patterns. Mirumi sometimes moves on its own even when nothing is happening, creating the feeling that the robot is active. 

The random behavior comes from a custom algorithm, which selects reactions in a way that appears natural. The team uses experience from earlier social robots to build these responses as well as from their prototype earlier in 2025. For the real-life model, the device comes with a built-in battery, rechargeable using a Type-C cable behind the mini attachable robot. Mirumi also gestures when its battery is low by shaking its head slowly. It’s a way for the team to have a completely screen-free device for telling users it’s time to charge their gadget. Mirumi doesn’t talk, at least for the recent model. It only turns its head, nods, and gently tilts to show excitement, hesitation, or interest. Fans of the mini attachable robot can support the campaign, and the team expects to ship Mirumi in May 2026.

Mirumi, a mini attachable robot, clings tightly onto bag handles

tthe device also moves its head when users pet it

the portable device looks around and reacts to what happens near it

users can also attach it around their belt loops

its neck motor lifts the head of the device to make it look up

there are three colors available for the gadget

its furry skin resembling the one on teddy bears is soft to touch

the making of the furry attachable device

video showcasing how the gadget works

the team plans to ship the device starting May 2026

project info:

name: Mirumi | @mirumi_tokyo

design: Yukai Engineering | @yukaiengineering

campaign: here

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The REETLE SmartInk I is an iPhone case with an integrated e-ink display at the back that allows users to flip their device and read books without the screen glare. A multipurpose accessory, the embedded gadget is powered by AI and can also record audios and translate them into texts on its own. As an e-ink reader, the second screen uses low-power technology that shows text clearly without using much battery. The display allows the user to read documents, articles, and notes without opening the main phone screen and even in brightly lit environments. 

Other than reader, users can also use its AI system for reading support. This means that the iPhone case with e-ink display can summarize text and highlight key points in books and reading materials, as well as organize them into bullet points. These tools are directly on the screen, so users can work with the content without leaving the reading view. Because of its low-power use, the screen is activated for both reading and recording for up to ten hours of use.

all images courtesy of REETLE

Second screen at the back of user’s smartphone

REETLE’s iPhone case with an e-ink display doubles as a second screen, too. In this case, users can turn it into a business card to share their contacts or even flash certain QR codes that link back to their social media and messaging platforms. Since it also has a Bluetooth and WiFi connection, content can be synced from the smartphone’s screen to the e-ink display, similar to the second monitor for laptops. Thanks to this, it’s easy to upload files on cloud folders after the users record their interviews and meetings using the case.

The body of the case includes corner guards and a layer of tempered glass to protect the phone from drops and scratches. The full thickness of the iPhone case with e-ink display is 4 millimeters, which is quite slim to make it easy to carry and hold. When not in use, the user can see their to-do tasks and even the time on the second screen, which helps them reduce their time looking at their smartphone displays, being exposed to blue light, and experiencing eye strain. So far, the team has set up a campaign with a plan to release the device in early 2026.

Reetle SmartInk I is an iPhone case with an integrated e-ink display at the back

as an e-ink reader, the second screen uses low-power display technology

the display allows the user to read documents, articles, and notes without opening the main phone screen

users can turn the display into a digital business card

project info:

name: SmartInk I

design: REETLE

The post iPhone case with e-ink display lets users read books and comics without screen glare appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

MusiCubes comprises musical wooden cubes that produce instrumental sounds when placed on the smart vinyl-like board. Built with RFID technology, the surface reads the individually handcrafted cube and plays a sound, loop, effect, or recording as a way to give users a screen-free tool to make music. The device is based on a technology called TuneTouch, which uses passive RFID tags. Each musical wooden cube contains one RFID tag, holding information about the type of instrument or sound the block has. When the cube touches the tablet surface, the vinyl-like board detects the RFID signal and plays a sound or activates a function with low delay. 

The detection works in real time, so users hear the result as soon as the cube moves, and the system needs no cables, no buttons, and no screens. The design of MusiCubes focuses on direct physical use, so users don’t tap icons or menus. Instead, they place cubes on the tablet surface. If they want to stop the music, they just remove the musical wooden cubes from the smart vinyl board. This is where the users play with their creativity because they can mix and match the cubes until they produce the kind of music they like.

all images courtesy of MusiCubes

Smart vinyl board ‘reads’ the musical wooden cubes

MusiCubes has four main cube types.  The first one is the Loop cubes, which has one rhythm pattern or one melodic sound. When a Loop cube is placed on the tablet, the loop begins. The second set is for recording, or to activate the recording mode, in case the users want to register the production. Users can capture layers from Loop cubes or from live input, and when the Recording cube is removed, the recording stops. Then, there’s the series of Mic cubes for the microphone input. With these musical wooden cubes, the smart vinyl board records the users as they sing, beatbox, or record other instruments, adding a personal touch to their track.

The last is the Control cubes, which can change the audio settings. Here, users can adjust the volume, tempo, mix levels, equalizer settings, or effects of the music they’re producing, such as reverb, echo, or repeat. The RFID tag tells the tablet which parameter to adjust, and moving the cubes means applying changes to the current sound. MusiCubes works without a screen, internet, or software installation since the musical wooden cubes and smart vinyl board are fully physical. The team, comprising Hayri C. Bulman and Andy Keimach, states that future versions may support connectivity, but the current one is a stand-alone device. The device includes a library of loops, melodies, and effects that can be combined in many ways, allowing users to create long tracks, short patterns, or simple sound tests. So far, there’s no official release date for MusiCubes, but the team says that they’re launching it soon.

the surface reads the individually handcrafted cube and plays a sound

each block corresponds to a respective sound

there are several types or categories of music and function that each cube can operate

the images on the cube indicate the kind of sound to be played

the device is based on a technology called TuneTouch, which uses uses passive RFID tags

view of the vinyl- like board

project info:

name: MusiCubes

team: Hayri C. Bulman, Andy Keimach

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