Idea 1: Rigid Body on hobby servo to facilitate release

pros: safety pins that are fastened to fabric or string can create an unfolding/unfurling effect (especially if fabric is pleated).

challenges: small, servo would need to attach to wearable

paper clip twisted into a rigid body on servo attachment
safety pins slide off as servo rotates

Idea 2: Inflation triggered release

Other updates

  • touch sensor sends signals sucessfully over mqtt! device receives and responds to incoming signals without a hitch.

The Vest

I always forget how aggravating an experience working with the pneumatic devices/inflatables is. I have found some ingredients for a successful inflatable:

  • Grease the tubing that goes inside the vinyl when inflating
  • The smaller the inflatable, the more manageable
  • Have pieces of tape ready to seal the inflatable
  • Do not be afraid to use a little Sharpie
  • Leave ample residual vinyl to touch up in case the soldered edges mess up

My next steps are to continue making small inflatables until there is enough to cover the upper body. I also found attaching the panels together by soldering the pieces is possible — but not always successful. It adds a cool melty visual element to the pieces, though. Weaving string through the holes the iron burns could be a potential way to attach them together as well.

less successful iterations