soft(n) evolved as a multi-user networked installation from the prototype project called move.me. soft(n) was created in collaboration with V2_Lab, and served as V2_Lab's contribution to the larger Dutch EU Passepartout project, which included industry partners from Philips, Inc. and Academic Partners from TU/e and CWI. While move.me provided an initial proof of concept which enabled iterative testing of hardware, software, fabric construction and user interaction, soft(n) was the final phase and included a multi-user networkedpublic art installation

In move.me a single interactive cushion/pillow was designed to test ambient response and control within a home entertainment environment. Much of move.me's development cycle was used to design, build and implement the special smart fabric' tactile input surface that was able to recognize touch qualities. The development of the heuristics for tactile recognition and its use in a multi-user networked environment for soft(n) was based on the intitial hardware and software proof-of-concept created in the move.me phase.

V2_ put out an international call for artists to represent V2_Lab in the Passepartout project, and selected the Canadian Artist, Thecla Schiphorst to lead the artistic concept, design and implementation of an 18 month project resulting in the development of a new work for DEAF07: Interact or Die. The resulting art-work, soft(n), a multi-user networked installation, contained 12 'soft objects' which exhibited emerging behaviour (via light, sound and vibration) based on touch and movement such as picking them up or throwing them about the space.

Soft(n) Objects Hardware design