Dodgebot is a facetracking nerf cannon on a mobile platform. It began as a toy, and somehow crept into the realm of weaponry…observe:
Tags: face tracking · robot · toysNo Comments.
How Much Water Do You Use?
December 2nd, 2008 by
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On Wednesday and Thursday the installation received a good deal of user interaction at the ITP Winter Show. The project worked in a practical sense, both the software and the hardware. It was also successful in provoking awareness. Most people were surprised at their consumption, sometimes to the point of skepticism. I assured them that while the flow rates are mapped on the high end of rates for older hardware, it was an accurate portrayal.
Some people questioned the value of the exercise in changing habits. I argued that awareness influences people’s decisions over time. I don’t expect people to take shorter showers after using the project, but perhaps the next toilet they buy will be low-flow.
The project has gotten some visibility online. Swyyne humorously points out the contradiction between the project’s message and my bottled water, since it has negative environmental impacts.
Swynne also cites my mention of the possibility of home implementation. The project as it stands is more suited for a public display/kiosk setting, but home hardware is an extension of the idea that is feasible. An area for future exploration.
Thanks to my Nobu Nakaguchi, my partner on the project, and Robert Carlsen for his assistance.
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Water Tally BETA
November 28th, 2008 by
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PREVIOUS VERSIONS
Demonstration
Details
A series of physical inputs that correspond to different household water hardware to visualize associated rates of consumption. For example, a toilet flush can consume up to 7 gallons of water. We will show this through a toilet lever attached to a switch that will increment values in a Processing sketch, that in turn will be represented visually.
Recommendations are based on a comparison between water use in the simulation and data on average daily domestic water use. We will offer ways to mitigate excess use based on industry research, and give an option to send the results via email.
Team Members
Nobu Nakaguchi
Cameron Cundiff
Classes
ICM
Physical Computing
Equipment
42″ flat screen display (Processing Visualization)
Mac Mini with Keyboard/Mouse (processing platform)
Computer speakers (audio feedback)
Network connection (email sending)
Space Requirements
4′ x 4′ footprint, 6′ tall with display
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Breathing Tree
November 16th, 2008 by
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Nobu and I are creating a collaborative game that uses volume from microphones to spur the growth and fruition of a virtual tree. The game highlights the value of cooperation and participation in environmental efforts.
revision: Blowing as input has been dropped in favor of a more intuitive interaction. Input is now someone brushing his/her hand over a patch of grass with embedded motion sensor or photocells. Game aspect will be augmented by a timer in the form of the cycle of the sun in the background, and “high scores” in the form of memory of past trees in the background of the viz.
Prototype Code (uses stereo headphones as input):
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ITP eating club
September 21st, 2008 by
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Here we are at lee-seans for the ITP eating club. Check out ze menu!
Also, take a gander at this smorgasborg of delectible delights…
Tags: ITP · social2 Comments
Tech-retard, it’s not your fault
September 15th, 2008 by
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For Physical Computing, Hyejin and I went to Kinko’s to observe people using technology. Our focus quickly turned to the Sony picture printing kiosk. The interactions people had with the machine were varied. One person using the kiosk seemed to be experienced at it. The efficacy with which she accomplished her task was impressive. Another, more interesting case was a man who was having a lot of difficulty. After failing to get one kiosk, he eventually moved to another where he began slowly progressing through the interface. After about ten minutes, I approached him. He was still in the process of selecting photos to print. I asked him about his experience with the machine, and he responded “I am retarded with these kinds of things” speaking presumably about technology in general. This was a curious response, since the first machine he had used was in fact dysfunctional. So it wasn’t a problem with the user, but rather with the tool. Nonetheless he blamed himself.
I think this is a common response to failure with technology. We assume that the technology is effective despite our experience. In this case, a more intuitive response might be dissatisfaction or frustration, from my perspective.
There is a alternative design solution that may have alleviated the man’s difficulties with memory cards. Instead of trying to accommodate as many card types as possible and cluttering the terminal, the designers could have created a single mini usb connector, a connection that is ubiquitous in digital cameras.
Tags: usabilityNo Comments.
love-o-meter stage 1
September 14th, 2008 by
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Senses proximity and indicates the programmed comfort zone or “personal space” of the sensor through a series of LEDs.
[Read more →]
Tags: analog · sensorNo Comments.
Light switch combination lock
September 10th, 2008 by
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Tags: arduino · sensor · switchNo Comments.