Cubicle is an interesting research project carried out by Lancaster University Computing Department in the field of tangible computing:

Cubicle is a multifaceted, multi-sensory wireless tangible input device. While its physical attributes are modular to fit user preference and ability, Cubicle functionality is established by a set of well-defined, non-verbal dynamics. Cubicle can be used to reduce the complexity of current mobile technologies and to map the most commonly used functions to non-verbal dynamics that make sense to a particular application.

For example, the most common functions of a mobile phone might be: turn on/off; make a phone call and delete. Each of these are mapped to physical actions: turn on/off becomes squeeze; making a call becomes turn; and, delete becomes shake. Key to this design and development is the knowledge that possible actions become apparent only when considering object affordance.

Some applications here. More information in the following paper: K. Van Laerhoven, N. Villar, A. Schmidt, G. Kortuem and H.-W. Gellersen. "Using an Autonomous Cube for Basic Navigation and Input". In Proceedings of ICMI/PUI 2003. ISBN: 1-58113-621-8; ACM Press. Vancouver, Canada. 2003, pp. 203-211.