Tom Gerhardt’s Mud Tub looks like a ridiculously fun Human Computer Interface. And, in fact, you’re actually encouraged to make a beautiful mess…
The Mud Tub is an experimental organic interface that allows people to control a computer while playing in the mud.
computer, meet mud — By sloshing, squishing, pulling, punching, etc, in a tub of mud (yes, wet dirt), users control games, simulators, and expressive tools; interacting with a computer in a new, completely organic, way. Born out of a motivation to close the gap between our bodies and the digital world, the Mud Tub frees the traditional computer interaction model of it’s[sic] rigidity, allowing humans to use their highly developed sense of touch, and creative thinking skills in a more natural way.
Be sure to check out the Mud Tub video & the Mud Tub + Lumarca video to get the idea. (In my opinion, the Lumarca video gives a better sense of the mud-based interface than does the overview video.)
A few thoughts and observations:
- Awesome. I mean seriously. It’s hard to beat playing in the mud.
- Tom casts the Mud Tub as an experiment in art and design. Though he uses the word “play” here and there, he doesn’t concentrate on its playfulness. Certainly, of course, I would highlight that aspect (as I am here). But, it goes to show how complementary play is to so many disciplines — especially those of the creative persuasion.
- The Mud Tub is a very literal incarnation of the Digital Sandbox idea I wrote about previously.
Mud Tub users… Note the smile.