A phone which forces you out of bed

Japanese researchers have invented a new 3D-printed mobile phone case which escapes your hand if you try to snooze the alarm.

In addition to the Runaway Snooze function, the phone has Hard Push and Scale Trace functions.

Hard Push makes the phone move towards you whenever it rings, and, after you've finished the conversation or read the text message, it returns to its place. The wheel rotation can be controlled by the user.

The prototype of the 3D-printed case contains a a circuit board, made up of a micro-controller, USB-serial converter, motors, motor drivers and rotary encoders. Combined with 3D-printed wheels, these features allow it to drive across flat surfaces, with control over the linear and rotational movements of the phone.

Scale Trace shows how the device can be used for practical purposes. According to the researchers, the wheels are sensitive and enable precise measuring of the surface they're driving across. This means that the phone can be used to measure the proportion of a given space, after which it offers the self-explanatory Find Furniture feature.

3D printed phone case

alarm