EdibleToy
Figure: The process of using our tools for food preparation.
Abstract
Existing methods in human-computer interaction to enhance children’s eating habits predominantly rely on digital interactive technologies, which pose the risk of increasing sensory stimulation and diverting children’s attention away from the food itself. Drawing inspiration from shape-changing food research, we propose an approach that combines deformable wafer paper for food preparation. We summarize the principles of wafer paper controllable deformation and develop a toolkit to facilitate its use. We support children in creating personalized, transformable food items using this method, aiming to provide a playful, convenient, and safe food-making experience tailored for children, thereby enhancing children’s mealtime engagement and habits.
For more details, please refer to the video and paper linked at the bottom of this page.
Authors
Yilin Shao, Boyu Feng, Yingpin Chen, Yue Yang, Weijun Li, Yifan Yan, Yanan Wang, Ye Tao, Lingyun Sun, Guanyun Wang
Publication Information
Conference: IDC '23 (Proceedings of the 22nd Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference)
Date: 19 June 2023
DOI: 10.1145/3585088.3593883
Notes
This project drew inspiration from a childhood memory of White Rabbit candy, which is wrapped in an edible rice paper layer beneath its outer packaging. The rice paper not only prevents the candy from sticking to the wrapper during high-temperature processing but also acts as a barrier against moisture and bacteria, keeping the candy fresh.
While experimenting with this material, I accidentally spilled water on a sheet of rice paper and noticed an intriguing dynamic deformation effect. This unexpected discovery sparked my curiosity, leading me to explore ways to control the deformation of edible papers. I experimented with various materials, including rice paper, wafer paper, and Vietnamese spring roll wrappers. My tests revealed that wafer paper was the most controllable, rice paper displayed the most dramatic changes, and spring roll wrappers were less responsive to manipulation. This exploration uncovered exciting possibilities for integrating edible thin films into dynamic and interactive design.