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El Óvalo

English
Gaeilge
El Óvalo is a touch-sensitive light controller which was designed and developed in collaboration with an electronic engineer and a joiner. Our aim was to enhance the haptic experience of the user in engaging with such an everyday object. Typically, the ubiquitous light switch is made up of a synthetic material such as plastic or a cold to touch material like metal. We have opted to use wood with a burnished finish for our material interface as it offers a natural and warm surface to engage with. El Óvalo’s smooth round shape has been carefully designed to be ergonomically comfortable, while its proportions respond to the dimensions of the human hand. The controller is available in a variety of wooden finishes, which can complement the furnishings of the room it is placed in. Functionally, the use of no mechanical parts within the controller makes the device more reliable and durable than the traditional switch. In order to emulate the behaviour expected from a dimmer switch, embedded touch sensor technology has been configured to correspond to the user’s actions while using the controller. By tapping on the central section the user can turn on and off the light. To control the light intensity, the user moves their finger in a circular motion in the recessed section.
Is rialaitheoir solais mothálach é El Óvalo a dhearadh is a d’fhorbraíodh i gcomhar le hinnealtóir leictreonach agus siúineir. B’é ár aidhm ná an t-eispéireas gan eagar an úsáideora a mhéadú trí dul i ngleic le rud laethúil. De gnáth, déantar lasc solais comónta as ábhar sintéiseach ar nós plaisteach nó ábhar atá fuar le mothú, ar nós miotal. Bheartaíomar adhmad le bailchríoch snasta don chomhéadan a úsáid toisc go dtugann sé dromchla atá nádúrtha is bogthe le dul i ngleic leis. Dearadh cruth mian, cruinn El Ovalo go cúramach le bheith compórdach go heirgeanamíoch, agus a choibhneas mar aon le toghas láimhe an duine daonna. Tá an rialaitheoir ar fáil in éagsúlacht bailchríochái adhmaid, a chomhlánaíonn an seomra ina bhfuil sé suite. Go feidhmiúil, déanann easpa páirteanna meicniúla lastigh don rialaitheoir, an gléas i bhfad níos iontaofa agus marthanaí ná an lasc traidisiúnta. Chun aithris a dhéanamh ar na tréithe atá ag baint le maolaitheoir, tá teicneolaíocht braiteoir mothú laistigh atá tar éis a bheith cumraithe chun aicsean an úsáidí a chomhfhreagairt agus nuair atá siad ag dul i ngleic leis an rialaitheoir. Trí buille beag a thabhairt don chuid lárnach, is féidir leis an úsáideoir an solas a lasadh is a mhúcadh. Chun neart an tsolais a smachtú, bogann an t-usáídeoir a mhéar i nglusaiseacht cíorcalach sa chuid cúlaithe.


Electronic Engineering

IIWII Electronics

Design Collaborator

Eoghan Horgan

Joiner

Danny Moynihan

Photography

Seán Antóin Ó Muirí

Design

2015-2016

Fabrication

2016-2017

Project Details

Electronic Engineering:

IIWII Electronics

Design Collaborator:

Eoghan Horgan

Joiner:

Danny Moynihan

Photography:

Seán Antóin Ó Muirí

Design:

2015-2016

Fabrication:

2016-2017

Studio address

Contact info

Contact information