modular AI smartphone has swappable nodes on the back, from speakers to braille displays

LFD introduces modular AI smartphone, Node by PAIR

Design collective LFD, short for Life For Design, introduces its concept modular AI smartphone, Node, under a flagship brand named PAIR. Users can change up to eight blocks, depending on the size of the modules, which range from cameras and speakers to mini screens and braille displays for the visually impaired. These blocks seem to latch onto the smartphone with magnetic clasps for easy removal.

So far, there are 15 node features available in total for the modular AI smartphone. The user can add their own SSD at the back for extra storage. Since it might contain sensitive information, they can only unplug it through facial or fingerprint recognition. There’s even a ‘remember’ module that can monitor and keep the health data of the user, as well as a hotkey button for games and camera shortcuts.

all images courtesy of Life For Design (LFD)

Swappable blocks for the rear of the AI device

What’s a smartphone without a speaker? In the case of PAIR’s Node, LFD extends its size, which can take up to four blocks on the back of the modular AI device. The double speakers may also come with rich bass sound for an on-the-go boombox that fits in the palm. If the screen size of the smartphone isn’t enough, which the design collective imagines to be an edge-to-edge display with a 6:9 ratio, the user can place a sub-display on the back, which is ideal for essential apps like weather, clock, and missed calls.

Because AI powers the modular device, PAIR’s Node can also accommodate a block dedicated to a smart assistant. It may have a microphone to listen to and process the spoken prompts of the user. For those who tend to forget their chargers or use their smartphones quite a lot throughout the day, they’re free to also attach a power bank module so that they don’t need to carry an external battery pack with them. LFD also designs camera modules with one to four lenses at once, so the user can swap them depending on their type of photography.

design collective LFD introduces its concept modular AI smartphone, PAIR’s Node

Braille display for the visually impaired

For the visually impaired, they can swap the blocks of PAIR’s Node for a braille display made of tiny screw-like objects that protrude. There’s a mini screen above the display, and whatever is projected onto this screen or the main one, the braille display’s tiny sticks automatically jut out to indicate the app being flashed on the screen above it. LFD also sets up the widgets of the modular AI smartphone in customizable blocks.

Unlike typical phones these days, users can resize the layout in a margin of 16 and up to 6 columns. It is similar to the Tetris game. The widgets can be extended upward and downward until the user finds the mix-and-match that suits them. It’s safe to say as well that the smartphone is powered by AI, including its smart assistant that can help with real-time language translation and even a voice-over and command feature. As of publishing the story, PAIR’s Node is still a concept modular AI smartphone.

users can change up to eight blocks