MoleBot: a robotic creature based on physical transformability

Abstract

What would it be like to have a mole live under your table and push around objects on the table surface? We developed MoleBot, a robotic creature based on an Organic User Interface (OUI) that lives in a coffee table and interacts with small items placed on the table surface. To ensure fluid motions of the molehill cast by the MoleBot, the table surface combines its horizontal rigidity with the vertical flexibility of movable pins. The users are enabled to kinetically interact with this creature via a joystick or gestural commands.