Play Tunes From Your Phone Using This Paper Piano

In the future, humans could use their voices to interact with devices or their eyes to navigate complex UIs on smart glasses. But what if an entirely new concept emerged? Prelonic Technologies developed the paper piano, a device that combines NFC technology and printed circuitry to provide users with a new way to interact with a smartphone. The Austrian-based tech company develops and manufactures flexible printed electronics, such as batteries, sensors, and displays. Its first product, called Prelonic Interactive Paper (PIP), uses NFC to develop affordable and recyclable products that are easy to manufacture.

Using a traditional laser printer, the company printed a keyboard layout on a single sheet of paper. Afterward, they printed conductive carbon on the back and printed a circuit template on another sheet. Then, they integrated an NFC chip underneath the keyboard layout and placed it atop the circuit sheet to create the interface.

A smartphone, which rests on the NFC chip, running the accompanying app is positioned on the left side of the keyboard. Users can then play the paper piano to produce musical notes. Even more, the paper piano does not rely on a power source to operate. Instead, it receives power from the smartphone’s antenna. A user can tap on any of the printed keyboard’s eight keys with their finger, causing the app’s corresponding keys to highlight. Meanwhile, the notes are played through the mobile device’s speaker.

Paper piano, which is not being sold, could be used for advertising, education, and gaming. Even then, users could print a QWERTY keyboard for their smartphone, freeing up screen space. Anyone can print a custom controller on-demand through PIP and remove the NFC chip for later use before recycling the product when it’s no longer needed.