The Wise Chisel: The Rise of the Smart Handheld Tool

• Published in: IEEE pervasive computing Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 48 - 57
• Main Authors: Zoran, Amit, Shilkrot, Roy, Goyal, Pragun, Maes, Pattie, Paradiso, Joseph A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.07.2014; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: 3D printing; Cooperation; craft; design; digital fabrication; Fabrication; graphics; Hand tools; Handheld computers; handheld tools; Human; human-computer interaction (HCI); Instruments; Intelligent structures; Maintenance; manual skill; Origins; Paints; pervasive computing; Printing; R&D; Research & development; Skills; Three-dimensional displays; Virtual manufacturing
• ISSN: 1536-1268; 1558-2590
• DOI: 10.1109/MPRV.2014.59

Smart handheld tools epitomize a mythical and technological quest for personal mastery of skill, delivering both might and mind in the hands of their holders. A recent spur of academic and industrial efforts has given rise to a new field of research in HCI, one devoted to smart handheld tools. Here, the authors offer a definition for smart handheld tools, discuss the tools' origins and motivation, and present a survey of prominent work by themselves and others in disciplines such as fabrication, painting, printing, and maintenance. They also discuss their experiences operating in this new territory and conclude with a vision of a hybrid creative practice: smart handheld instruments that enable synergetic cooperation with human skill, personal style, and computational assistance that results in accuracy, guidance, and protection for users. This article is part of a special issue on printing and fabrication.