Origami TV Remote Control redefines remote simplicity

Every so often, it pays to go completely and utterly against the grain, so while Logitech and friends are pumping out remote controls that could arguably be used in another life to launch space shuttles, the Origami TV Remote Control delivers just the basics for those who don't mix well with instruction manuals. The device, shown at the Work in Progress Show of Design Interactions in London, was designed for youngsters (and let's face it, adults too) who are downright intimidated with the smorgasbord of remotes used in most homes to "get the TV to work." This two-handed controller brings back fond memories of a paper-related game we all played in grade school, and is apparently used to dictate "only the essential functions" of a TV set such as channel selection and volume control. Designed by 1-week Electronics, the cordless remote reportedly relied on a sensor board and "Max/MSP" to get the signals across, and while we do appreciate the beautiful simplicity, the geek in us can't help but wonder what one of these bad boys in each hand could accomplish with a well-integrated DVR setup.

[Via Uber-Review]

[kevin @ Feb 4th 2007 3:47PM]

i'm confused. why is Max/MSP in quotes?

[scottlmail-forums @ Feb 4th 2007 3:58PM]

I call BS.

[Ryan @ Feb 4th 2007 4:57PM]

Kids don't need a simple remote...my four year old ran the TiVo, and now the DVR cable box, to put on his shows. We see evidence that it's actually read to his reading improvement. He can read 'Jay Jay' or 'Curious George' on various displays and UIs, not just his most familiar one.

The only downside is he might delete your recording or buy a PPV playing with the remote. But since he was three, he was all over using the remote, and he figured the damn thing out on his own.

The only people who really need simple remotes are the older folks we keep trying to force our next great technology upon. My mom would rather listen to NPR than figure out another set top box.

[3rdsun @ Feb 4th 2007 6:42PM]

it looks like it was designed in 1 week maybe 1 day

[NHAnimator @ Feb 4th 2007 10:33PM]

I just changed the channel on my tv... and found out that Red is Julie's favorite color!

[Tony Rayo @ Feb 4th 2007 10:47PM]

The girls in elementary school used to make these up and call them "koodie catchers", although I don't know why because they used them to "predict the future"... anyway they go back at least 40 years since my mom made them as a kid.

Back to the point, even if this isn't real, it could easily be done with some kind of contact points using low wattage and tin foil (like you see in some of those "Make Your Own DDR Pad" how-to's as well as other projects, in fact I did something like this in elementary science class... damn I miss elementary school) or some kind of flexible membrane if you want to get fancy like. I'll stick with my universal re-monster for now... now get out of my way, you are blocking the pretzel beam!

- Tony R.

[Jake @ Feb 4th 2007 11:56PM]

In trying to simplify TV control, is a "device" with multiple possible orienations, no labels, no indicators, necessary two-handed operation, and frustratingly minimal control capabilities really the way to go? ...really?

[spaceman @ Feb 5th 2007 4:30AM]

They must be really dumb kids! My three year old daughter can control the basic funcations of the DVD and TV with two different remotes!.

She changes the DVDs herself and gets them playing on the correct TV channel. She also knows how to change TV to the correct channel for her kids TV shows and turns the volume up and down!

And my one year old son knows how to turn the TV on and off and eject the DVDs.

We don't even allow them to watch that much TV. We play games most of the time!

Give kids more credit!

[T-Spizzy @ Feb 5th 2007 12:46PM]

I remember those as fortune tellers from grade school. The girls would always make them and make me play.

"Pick a channel please, pick a channel"
"channel five"
"Five. One, two, three, four, five. Pick a color please"