Jul 28 2008
Interactive water
Designer Mike Burton has developed a wall of water, called ‘the Waterboard’. Is is in interactive whiteboard that allows users to manipulate the flow of water. The fun part is that the water can be manipulated by drawing lines that form objects or by use of actual physical objects such as…..humans!
Mike Burton somehow achieved to define what the water does in reality into formulas. When a bowl is drawn the water will keep flowing in the bowl and the water level rises. When the bowl is full the water will flow over the edge and continue its new course. In that way all different paths can be made as long as it goes downward.
Another interesting detail is that the water responds to the time it is not flowing. After a certain period the water will develop into a greenish goo with little flies circling above the water.
We think the same principle can be used with other materials such as sand and beans. But programming not fluid material would be a lot more difficult then water. Maybe the Dutch can use this in simulating how fast their country is flooded ? 
See also RSA and Next Nature
August 29th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
[...] Design Blog has a great post on a new creation by designer Mike Burton, it’s called “The Water Board” – this design wins on both cool-factor and difficulty-of-achievement. If you haven’t [...]
February 18th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
It’s cool but I’m not sure what it’s good for. Not seeing a tremendous number of commercial applications for it. Maybe Disney could use a few at it’s parks.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:45 am
i want to buy a model and install it in some intertainment center
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Well, it’s just something to mess around with… I know for sure that if i had one of those in my room, like along one of the walls, i could play with that sucker for hours.
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Hi Burt, I can imagine many people playing with this wall for hours as well. I think the suggestion of Criss regarding Disney would work quite well. Or what about interactive advertising on such a wall?
March 25th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
love it,were can this be purchased?
March 25th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Hi Sharona, I don’t think it can be purchased as it is right now, but it should be able to make for many companies. So maybe with some patience, something similar might be on the market on short notice.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I love your design! It’s so cool!
March 28th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
@ Hanni, thanks for your comment but I did not design the concept, the designer is ‘Mike Burton’
March 29th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Thank you for your reply, I am studying in industrial design. I love your blog
! Please post more ^^
March 29th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Hello Hanni,
Thanks for stopping by and all the best with your study. Where do you study by the way?
March 31st, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Now I am studying in the South of Korea for a master course. I have one subject that mentions about Interaction Design, so this is the reason I searched Internet and knew your blog by accidently. It’s really cool. Have a nice day!
May 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
[...] More about the interactive water board here [...]
September 17th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
HI,
I’m managing a great new project about water and nature in POnt de Vaux (France) I’d love get the waterboard but this is trully impossible to get a contact with Mr Burton. If anybody has an idea or a response please keep me in touch !
Kind regards
Anthony
March 11th, 2010 at 11:41 am
We are very interested. What are the costs of a waterboard?