What is the Sensel Morph?
The Sensel Morph is a new kind of input device that uses the next generation of touch technology. Containing 20,000 pressure sensors, it detects a range of pressures along with multi-touch, allowing it to detect any object. Since it’s able to detect pressure in this way, we have created overlays that allow the device to “morph” into many different devices, and you can even create your own overlays and thus your own “forms” of the Morph. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Where does the name “the Morph” come from?
The big idea behind “the Morph” is that it takes us a few steps forward from all of the fixed devices that we’re forced to work with today. It’s able to “morph” into different devices, rather than requiring you to buy a separate device for an art tablet, another for a digital instrument, another for a QWERTY keyboard, etc. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
What makes the sensel different than the other touch technology for consumers that’s out there?
As basic touch technology on the consumer market goes, the closest thing is Force Touch. Force Touch has 4 sensors, one on each corner, and detects 1 overall force (despite how many fingers you have pressed down). The Morph has 20,000 sensors and detects the individual pressure of each contact point. It can detect up to 16 contact points. To read more about the technology behind the Morph, check out this blog post: https://senselblog.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/the-mechanics-behind-the-magic-by-stephanie-chedid/ Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Can multiple Morphs work together?
You can connect multiple devices over USB or Bluetooth, which allows you to use multiple devices at the same time. For instance, you could use several Morphs side-by-side to create an extended piano, or you could have a setup where you’re using one morph as a drawing tablet and another as a QWERTY keyboard. The combinations are endless. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
What does it mean for the device to be “hackable”?
The Morph works out of the box for many uses but it’s also hackable, meaning that if you’re a maker, hobbyist, or coder, you can use our clear API and the SDK we provide to turn the device into virtually anything you can dream up. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
How long does the battery last? How does it charge?
The Morph will last for a week with regular use (a couple of hours a day), and for a month on standby. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Does the Morph have speakers?
No, the Morph does not have speakers. For music applications, the Morph outputs MIDI. This allows you to connect the Morph to popular music software suites and play music/sounds through your computer/tablet. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Do I need to code to create and use my own overlays?
Not at all! Once the product ships, we’ll have a very simple drag-and-drop interface on our website that will allow users to map out their own overlay and download the programming. You can then either 3D print this overlay or print it on a piece of regular paper and use our clear “innovators overlay” to secure it. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
What can I use the device for without the overlays?
The Morph can be used without overlays in two ways: Developers can use the Sensel API to get touch data to use in any application. This does not require an overlay. We will have an online tool that lets users try out new overlay functionalities before purchasing physical overlays. This is a great way to “try before you buy” if you’re considering a new interface. You can also use the device as a trackpad. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 7:17 pm EDT
What can I expect of the community page on the sensel site? When will it be live?
The community page, which will go live when the products ship, will be a great place to share and learn from other Morph addicts. You’ll be able to post projects, use cases, and ideas that you’ve created with the morph (from a drone controller to a work of art that you created with the art overlay). You’ll also be able to share any overlay designs you’ve created and “upvote” other peoples’ overlay designs and print them if you’d like. It will also serve as a sort of community forum. *** Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
What can I expect of the overlay creator on the sensel site? When will it be live?
The overlay creator will go live when the first batch of products ship. It will consist of an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface that will allow you to design and map out overlays without having to code. Each “button” and function that you can use to map out an overlay will have coding already dedicated to it. The programming for the overlay you map with the interface can then be programmed into your device with the click of a button. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
How are overlays automatically detected?
Each overlay has magnets embedded in it. These magnets have unique coding for each overlay, and are thus automatically detected by the device. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Will future of versions of the morph be different shapes and sizes?
Technically we can make this technology in various shapes and sizes, so we plan to have variations of shape and size in future models. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
How does the Morph detect any object rather than just a stylus?
Devices that can only detect styli are conductive, whereas the Morph works due to the pressure sensors. Since it detects pressure, it’s able to detect any object. This means you can control it with your bare fingers or even place paper over it and simultaneously draw and digitize art made with pen and pencil. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Is the Morph an art tablet or a trackpad or a music controller?
All of the above, and anything else you want it to be. The beauty behind our technology is that it changes with you and your hobbies, rather than restricting you to one fixed device. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Will money be taken out of my account as soon as I back the project?
Not to worry, you won’t be charged until the campaign reaches its goal and is successfully closed. Check out Kickstarter FAQ page for more information: https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
What happens if I want to ship my reward to an address other than my billing address?
Don’t fret! We’ll email our backers asking for any address changes or requests before we mail out the rewards. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
I live outside the United States. Can I still contribute to the project and be eligible for rewards?
Yes, please! We’re happy to let anyone around the world experience the Morph and will support international shipping. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
When will the Morph ship?
We are planning to ship in Q2 of 2016. Our backers will be regularly updated with our manufacturing and shipping status. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Where will the Morph be made?
Some parts of the Morph will be made locally in the US while other components will be made in China. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Who do I contact for investment opportunities?
Please send an email to [email protected] regarding investment opportunities and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
Who do I contact if I am a member of the press?
For press kits and interview requests, please email [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Last updated: Tue, Aug 25 2015 12:58 pm EDT
What if I want more Overlays after launch, or more than the 3 that my one Morph comes with?
We’re using BackerKit, which means that backers will not only get to choose which overlay they’d like after the Kickstarter closes, but they’ll get to choose from additional “a la carte” overlays if you’d like more than the three that the device comes with. Last updated: Wed, Aug 26 2015 4:41 pm EDT
Will the device support hover for artists who need it to create?
Of course! We actually send hover events to the system when there is an extremely light touch– once the touch passes a certain adjustable pressure threshold that’s when we send “draw” events. Last updated: Wed, Aug 26 2015 6:17 pm EDT
How many touches can be recognized simultaneously?
The sensor can “see” as many touches as you can put on it but for the touch-tracking API we limited it to 16 touches. Technically, we can set the number to anything we want, but there is a slight tradeoff between the number of simultaneously tracked objects and how fast we can process all the data and we found 16 to work well for most use-cases. Unless you have extra fingers! Last updated: Wed, Aug 26 2015 8:08 pm EDT
Will the custom interface builder support different simultaneous HID profiles? E.g., a gamepad with keyboard buttons and a trackpad area.
Absolutely! This is one of the use cases we’re really excited about because you can start making hybrid interfaces that send to multiple protocols simultaneous. You can program it to do essentially anything you want. Last updated: Thu, Aug 27 2015 3:01 pm EDT
Current Estimated Shipping Date: July 2016
Last Updated At: 11/09/15What is BackerKit?
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