Cord UIs: Controlling Devices with Augmented Cables

Philipp Schoessler, Sang-won Leigh

Cord UIs are sensorial augmented cords that allow for simple metaphor-rich interactions to interface with their connected devices. Cords offer a large underexplored space for interactions as well as unique properties and a diverse set of metaphors that make them potentially interesting tangible interfaces.

We use cords as input devices and explore different interactions like tying knots, stretching, pinching and kinking to control the flow of data and/or power. We also look at ways to use objects in combination with augmented cords to manipulate data or properties of a device. For instance, placing a clamp on a cable can obstruct the audio signal to the headphones. Using special materials such as piezo copolymer cables and stretchable cords we built five working prototypes to showcase various interactions.


Winner, Students Category, 2015 Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards. Sep 14 2015 [Link]
P. Schoessler, S. Leigh, K. Jagannath, P. van Hoof, and H. Ishii. Cord UIs: Controlling Devices with Augmented Cables, TEI 2015, 2015
P. Schoessler, S. Leigh, K. Jagannath, P. van Hoof, and H. Ishii. Cord UI: Manipulating Data on its Flow Path with Augmented Cables, TEI 2014 Work-in-progress, 2014






Tightening the knot will dim the lamp until it shuts off completely

Pinching the cord temporarily pauses the music

A clamp attached to the computer's power cord will put it to sleep

Tugging the cord will safe-eject the hard drive

Kinking the cord will on/off toggle the power