Murata isn't in the business of making electronics. Rather, they're one of the companies that make all the stuff that makes electronics possible. To that end, they've come up with some cool concepts to demonstrate what they've been working on lately, like this solar-powered flexible remote control.
What Murata is showing off here is piezoelectric polyester film with embedded solar cells that functions as a TV remote. The underlying technology is two things in one: you get a solar panel for power, along with a multi-axis flex sensor (actually two separate sensors) that can detect twisting and bending motions. Sandwiched inside the handles are batteries and a wireless card. To use the remote, just twist it to change channels, bend it to change the volume, or shake it like a Polaroid to turn the TV off and on. It's simple, intuitive, and Murata is never going to make it because like we said, they don't really make anything.
The whole point of Murata making concepts like this is to give people who do make stuff some good ideas. There's no reason why a manufacturer couldn't jump on this like tomorrow and bust out some wigglemotes within a few years, but until then, you'll just have to content yourself with watching the thing in action below and deciding whether or not you'd actually want to use one.
Posted on location at CES 2012 in Las Vegas. Video by Evan Ackerman for DVICE.
Via Murata
Posts
