Rolling Pixels

Abstract

This article introduces Rolling Pixels, that are essentially robotic Steinmetz solids, for constructing frame-by-frame physical animations. As a bicylinder-shaped Rolling Pixel rolls back and forth or left and right, the shape and color of the top view of the pixel changes repeatedly without using any additional shape- or color-changing techniques. Implemented using off-the-shelf products and technologies, Rolling Pixels are easy-to-build, reproducible, and customizable kinetic design material. We describe the design and implementation of the current prototype of Rolling Pixels. We also illustrate the potential of the Rolling Pixels as building blocks for physical animations through a set of simulated examples.