MIT And Woodskin Just Created A Self-Assembling Table

Tables that drop flat with a single touch, and stand up with a single tug? Sorcery! The Self Assembling Table, though, is less magic, more MIT. The Self-Assembly Lab at MIT has collaborated with Wood-Skin to develop the table as a part of on-going research into designing easy-to-build chairs, tables, and bookshelves.

Read Also: Magical Furniture That Changes Shape

How It Works

The Self-Assembling Table has been designed in such a way that it reacts to a slight nudge or tug. The table comes packed as a flat piece in a box. Your only job is to take it out of the box and pull it up slightly and voila, the table is ready to use! According to Skylar Tibbits, a Research scientist at MIT’s Department of Architecture, the table is strong enough to endure the strength of a grown-up man. Tibbits has worked with many architectural firms and his research is primarily focused in programing textiles.

What It’s Made Of

Wood-Skin aims to build smart furniture for the future. Imagine a world where all your essential furniture can be neatly packed into a box and then reassembled with a touch of your hand. Packing and moving would be a breeze. The basic frame of the Self-Assembling Table is made of wood. A pre-programmed elastic textile connects the wooden skeleton. When the table is propped up, the fabric hops up according to its pre-programmed shape.

 

Inspired by:
fastcodesign.com
architecture.mit.edu