Revolutionizing Craftsmanship: Morten Grønning's Happaratus

Power-glove Sculpture Tool Redefines Traditional Craft Techniques

Morten Grønning's inspiration for Happaratus stemmed from his interest in exploring geometries and the relationship between a form and the material it is made from. He envisioned a tool that would enable people to work intuitively with complex geometries and create hand-crafted objects quickly and efficiently. The result is a power-glove that provides a direct, tactile connection between the user and the material they are working with.

What sets Happaratus apart from other tools is its unique design and functionality. The glove is equipped with oscillating abrasive pads at each fingertip, which move in a specific motion that provides high efficiency and exceptional control. This allows the user to create shapes with a very soft and organic aesthetic. The tool has been tested and praised by artisans from various disciplines, including sculptors, designers, model makers, and tinkerers.

The Happaratus project was developed at the Royal College of Art in London and took six months to complete. Since its inception, the tool has been exhibited in Dubai, Milan, Tokyo, Copenhagen, and Shenzhen. The project is ongoing, with the aim of realizing Happaratus as a commercial product.

The research behind Happaratus involved augmenting the human hand as a crafting tool, by increasing its power and capabilities. The functional demonstrator of Happaratus was tested quantitatively with 12 users, and qualitatively by three accredited artisans. The consensus among experts is that the tool is innovative, desirable, and has the potential to change their individual practices and workflows.

Despite the challenges faced during the mechanical engineering phase of the project, Grønning was able to find a solution that made the glove easy to control and reliable during user testing. The result is a tool that not only changes the nature of the objects we create but also the way we create them. As Grønning puts it, "Happaratus opens up the possibility of creating very complex shapes with a very intuitive workflow."

In conclusion, Morten Grønning's Happaratus is a testament to the power of innovative design. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, Grønning has created a tool that has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with materials and create objects. It's a fascinating glimpse into the future of craft and design, and a reminder of the endless possibilities that lie at the intersection of creativity and technology.