Let's start with servo! Here I have a force sensor as my analog input acting as an input into my servo. I mapped the values of the sensor from (0,1023) the range of values that the sensor gives us - to (0,130) a range of values that is understandable by the motor. As I learned later - I was not using a standard servo motor, but rather a "continuous" servo motor. This meant that while I wasn't able to trigger movement to controlled angles I could get smooth continuous motion.
So taking that I decided to try and make my first moving robot! I added an additional force sensor and servo motor, and attached some little wooden wheels to the servo spokes. Of course, because I wasn't able to change the direction of the servo without hacking (another future project!) my little robot friend can only spin in circles.
I’m really excited by the mechanical pixels. Having been to a couple of student shows over the past couple of years, I find that the pieces I’m most drawn to are those that are aesthetically pleasing, and/or beautiful objects, and all the better if these beautiful things can also inspire a sense of wonder, or playfulness. For example, I find Rozin’s series of mirrors to be completely magical. With the other mechanical pixels piece “waves of leaves,” I found myself wishing they either had less of a direct and fluid response (more rapid and random movement) or a higher degree of responsiveness (like Arjo’s Coustaeu piece). Although I did wish for a somewhat different interaction with the ceramic leaves, I thought the execution was truly lovely. Honestly, the things I’m least draw to are Theremins. Making crazy sounds is just really not my scene.
In general I think the weaker pieces are those that feel like the beginning of a good idea. For me some of the pieces like “set in stone” feel like they’ve started on an interesting path, but I find myself wondering - “how can we do more with this?” whereas I would say the more successful pieces feel fully realized.
The interactive dolls are something I’d seen in the ‘furby’ toys, or the computerized baby dolls I had to take care of in my highschool health class. I still really enjoy their interface, and their capacity for playfulness, but for some reason they’re not my first preference. Similarly the ‘multitouch interfaces’ - was something I’d previously heard discussed in a lecture by Clay Shirkey in the form of the “mud pit.” I’m hoping to explore a kind of “common object” that can be used as an interface- not so much in the painting with your finger or sculpting with mud realm, but more a common object that retains it’s properties even in the light of a new interactive use.
In general I think the weaker pieces are those that feel like the beginning of a good idea. For me some of the pieces like “set in stone” feel like they’ve started on an interesting path, but I find myself wondering - “how can we do more with this?” whereas I would say the more successful pieces feel fully realized.
The interactive dolls are something I’d seen in the ‘furby’ toys, or the computerized baby dolls I had to take care of in my highschool health class. I still really enjoy their interface, and their capacity for playfulness, but for some reason they’re not my first preference. Similarly the ‘multitouch interfaces’ - was something I’d previously heard discussed in a lecture by Clay Shirkey in the form of the “mud pit.” I’m hoping to explore a kind of “common object” that can be used as an interface- not so much in the painting with your finger or sculpting with mud realm, but more a common object that retains it’s properties even in the light of a new interactive use.