4D Insights

Based in New York, USA, Carl Darby set out to create a scale model of the EVA Pod from the Movie 2001: A Space Odyssey – a 1968 epic science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. Not content with simply backlighting the panels, he wanted the panels to be animated just as they did in the film. Using the 1:8 scale model kit from Moebius, Darby needed to find small enough LCD screens that he could program and add into his model to replicate exactly the video screens seen in the movie.

In modern embedded designs, interactive displays are pivotal, thanks to early smartphone innovations. Designers choose between creating from scratch or utilizing off-the-shelf modules like 4D Systems' gen4-uLCD-43DCT-CLB. These modules, pre-equipped with drivers and graphical interfaces, significantly simplify design processes and hasten market entry. By handling display tasks, they enable the use of cost-effective MCUs, presenting an appealing choice over discrete design, especially in rapid consumer markets where a quick market entry could denote success.

The Maker movement, underlined by a DIY ethos, is accelerating innovation across fields. With the aid of open source hardware and software, individuals now have the tools to bring their ideas to life. Commercial entities are beginning to recognize the value in this grassroots innovation culture. 4D Systems, for instance, has launched a platform dedicated to Makers, fostering a community where ideas can morph into tangible projects. This collaborative environment is not only helping turn imaginative concepts into reality, but is also reshaping the commercial landscape by blurring the lines between amateur inventors and professional developers.