Woven beads, a structured fabric category, comprises interconnected rows of beads joined by fiber strands. While the stiffness of woven beads can be adjusted by relying on fiber tension during fabrication, the resulting shape and stiffness properties remain fixed. This study explores the potential of tunable shape and stiffness in woven beads, offering adaptability in comfort, functionality, and form factor. By leveraging Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs), we employ a state-of-the-art technique for dynamically modulating fabric stiffness through mechanical constraints in bead form. This approach enables a modular and scalable fabrication process, fostering programmability in mechanical properties. Our investigation encompasses diverse bead iterations and stitching patterns to broaden their applicability in fabric behavior including degree of freedom, stretchability, permeability, and textures. We evaluate the mechanical properties to differentiate design capabilities, and present techniques for locally adjusting stiffness. We showcase the versatility through applications, including variable stiffness wearables and shape-changing everyday objects.

ClaytricSurface is a shape-changeable display with dynamic stiffness control. The prototype uses vacuum pressure control on an enclosed volume of particles. Users can mold 3D shapes and apply textures to them while experiencing tactile feedback through dynamically changing stiffness. The system’s developers have added both touch input using a depth camera and peripheral devices to expand the system’s practical application. They also developed applications in the form of design tools that have great entertainment potential.