Pin&Play

Pin&Play as a novel device infrastructure that provides power and ad hoc networking through common surfaces to the objects that are attached. The technology is based on conductive sheets that are invisibly embedded (for instance under the wall paper) and physical connectors that are based on common pushpins.

It is an entirely new type of infrastructure for 'smart objects' (physical objects with embedded computing) in everyday environments. The core idea is to provide power, ad hoc networking, and interactive behaviour through 'everyday surfaces'. Surfaces that we have in mind are for instance the walls and partitioning panels in architectural spaces, as well as more purpose-specific surfaces such as message boards. Everyday surfaces are physical media for the attachment of objects, and it is a key element of the Pin&Play concept to build on this natural and transparent physical relationship, extending it into the digital realm. The vision is that any smart object that becomes physically attached to a surface thus also becomes digitally attached.

This is illustrated in the two examples on the right: a noticeboard through which pins communicate, and a wall that allows light switches to be attached "where you like".

Our technical approach toward everyday surfaces as digital infrastructure is based on conductive sheets and socket-less connectors. The sheets are composed of layered conductive/insulative materials and designed to be invisibly embedded in everyday surfaces for power and data transmission. The connectors are based on pushpins to build on familiar ways of attaching objects whilst also providing network connectivity to the embedded sheets. Smart objects augmented with these connectors can be attached to any surface augmented with the sheets, to become instantly powered up and discovered by the network.