Living Architecture Spring 2007 Pratt

REFERENCE PROJECT: Voice Prints

2007-05-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

Project that translates voice patterns into a unique design for each user.

http://www.digitalstar.net/projects/voiceprints/index.html

Otto Arm Motion

2007-05-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

In this phase of our experiment we tested out our Otto arm experiment. Using the two sensors to activate the Otto Arm in two seperate motions. One sensor that is higher would be triggereing our arm to move in one direction. The next sensor which is located inside the box display, will activate the arm in a second directuon. This video shows the otto arm dripping the paint and being activated in the two seperate directions.

Drip in Action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppv6nTPoeBU

Final Networking system

2007-05-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

Finally, we displayed our networking system in the higgins hall lobby to discover the interaction between the public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLG9gilO1z0

We attached the networking systems together onto thin plastic strips that act as extended legs that can produce more vibrations.

We were successful with our first experiment by just attaching two units together with the tapper and the sensor located on different strips, we were capable of producing a networking system.

Video of our initial experiment on networking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dydyQK864v0

2007-05-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

A few videos of our latest incarnation: integration of module with frame and inputs

Walking by activation

Reaction to hand motion

Memory Trigger
the sensor remembers previous movements and has a delay in flexinol reaction

Otto Arm Art

2007-05-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

In this phase of our experiments we attached a drip mechanism to our reviced otto arm that moves in a two-directional motion. We also modified a base and turned it into a large display which we placed in the main lobby area of Higgins Hall. We recorded the interaction of the Otto arm display with the circulation of people coming into the building. The arm moves based on the triggering of two different sensors, one that moves when the main door opens, and another motion for when people become curious and peer over into the display box.

Test of modified arm moving in two motions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjNTb77ZG7Q
Arm and I/V drip attached and making art in process
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjNTb77ZG7Q

multiple simultaneous sensor code?

2007-04-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

once a sensor is triggered, it goes into a back-and-forth motion subroutine which effectively locks out the other sensor until the subroutine is complete. ideally we would like both sensors to trigger action simultaneously...

' drip_drip.bs2

' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}

pir1 PIN 14
pir2 PIN 15
waitTime VAR Word
counter VAR Byte
flexOtto VAR Word

Main:
PAUSE 250
DEBUG CLS
DEBUG "drip_drip running...", CR
DEBUG "(RESET now if sensors aren't already covered)", CR, CR
DEBUG "select drip pattern type, ortho (1) or circle (2): "
DEBUGIN SNUM flexOtto
DEBUG CR, "drip_drip initiated...", CR, CR
FOR counter = 20 TO 0
DEBUG "continue passive infra-red (pir) sensor(s) warm up: ", DEC2 counter PAUSE 1000
DEBUG CRSRXY, 0, 7, CLREOL NEXT
counter = 0 waitTime = 3000
DEBUG "sensor(s) ready...", CR, CR

DO

IF pir1 = 1 THEN
SELECT flexOtto
CASE 1
GOSUB flexOttoOrtho1
CASE 2
GOSUB flexOttoCirc
CASE ELSE
DEBUG "invalid type specified, RESET.", CR
ENDSELECT
ENDIF

IF pir2 = 1 THEN
SELECT flexOtto
CASE 1
GOSUB flexOttoOrtho2
CASE 2
GOSUB flexOttoCirc
CASE ELSE
DEBUG "invalid type specified, RESET.", CR
ENDSELECT
ENDIF

LOOP

END

flexOttoOrtho1:
DEBUG "sensor 1 triggered...", CR
HIGH 1
DEBUG BELL
DEBUG " ...wire 1 activated..."
GOSUB beepDone
LOW 1
PAUSE waitTime
HIGH 2
HIGH 3
DEBUG BELL
DEBUG " ...wires 2 & 3 activated..."
GOSUB beepDone
LOW 2
LOW 3
PAUSE waitTime
RETURN

flexOttoOrtho2:
DEBUG "sensor 2 triggered...", CR
HIGH 2
DEBUG BELL
DEBUG " ...wire 2 activated..."
GOSUB beepDone
LOW 2
PAUSE waitTime
HIGH 1
HIGH 3
DEBUG BELL
DEBUG " ...wires 1 & 3 activated..."
GOSUB beepDone
LOW 1
LOW 3
PAUSE waitTime
RETURN

flexOttoCirc:
DEBUG "nothing here yet, come back later.", CR, CR
RETURN

beepDone:
PAUSE waitTime
DEBUG BELL
PAUSE 250
DEBUG BELL
DEBUG "deactivated.", CR
RETURN

Shipping Peanut Panel

2007-04-18T02:01:00.000-07:00

In this step we attempted to analyze how the shipping peanut foams would dosolve under water addition. We wanted to see the effect of the red paint on the foam over time and recoded it in photo's. We also began to set up our new drip mechanism assembly. We also experimented with the length of the flexenol at 8 and 12 inches and got great results. We recoded it in the next videos.

Red-Paint Drip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XPOaHy-uCw
12" length flexinol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RJqmDjxVU
8" length flexinol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlZT4djv9mA

Collapsing Module Update

2007-04-17T23:44:00.000-07:00

Two videos of our half module tests showing the flexinol lever action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCpM1n7NT0U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0vh2YypnmI

Testing new Prototype modules. We began by taking our midterm model, keeping what worked, removing what didn't, and experimenting with more efficient ways collapse and open it.

First pic shows a module with hard connections at the top of the module and at the bottom of the flexinol, leaving the bottom and sides of the module loose. The component which reopens the module is, inthis case, a rubberband that attaches from the bottom of the modeul to the bottom of the flexinol.

The second image shows the module similarly arranged, except with the flexinol greatly lengthened and the reopening component connected to the backing, instead of the flexinol. Marks show the range of collapse we achieved with various power levels and rubberbands.

Our nearly finalized module. Reorients the reopening component to work perpindicular to the flexinol. In this case we used a length of piano wire that would bend and be compress outwards as the module collapsed. It would then bend back into shape, thus reopening the module.

We've also got 2 PIR sensors (one of which we think is bad), a relay ,and two circuits connected on the breadboard. Another relay will be added and hopefully a PIR that works. Below is an image of the breadboard and our code which is only partially working.

2007-04-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

In this step of our experiments we combined the umbrella mechanism and our Frie Otto arm. We wanted to have the umbrella release the otto piece like an arm would release a hand. The Otto arm then would rotate in its six directions which would act as the hand in our mechanism. The movement of the arm in the six directions would run based on the processing pattern we assigned through the micro-controller which would be activated by the sensor attached to the controller. Our system would interact with the surrounding enviroment based on the sensor indication. We also attempted to add a fabric across two of the umbrella pieces and see how the fabric would deform when the flexanol was activated. This did not create results we were anticipating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR1lPxslwlQ

Prototype 09

2007-04-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

We began experimenting with using two boards to trigger one another. By placing them both on a piece of plexi we tried to trigger one board's sensor by tapping the plexi to activate the tapper to trigger another board's sensor causing the sound piezo to beep.

video of the two boards interacting vertically
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tot8942XnmA

video of the two boards interacting horizontally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWI819cqjxU

We then tried to experiment with different codes, and found one that mimics the initial tapping. This is a start to a more intelligent processing system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au0j8Ea49JI

A view from the computer screen of the input and output of the board
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTv1B8oI8uo

Prototype 08

2007-04-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

We took apart a doorbell and used it as our tapping device. The doorbell usually moves the tapper continuously to create a long ring. We found out that by using a relay to switch on/off the secondary battery that is powering the tapper we could get single distinct taps.

Video of the tapper working with the relay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU6hAWT6vgQ

Video of the tapper on a window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfq6-n0gHFo

Second Prototype of the tapper on a window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJeYAWE73U

7 world trade

2007-04-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

ran across more topics from mid-review:

7 story podium light wall with motion capture camera.

http://kinecity.com/7wtc/

chinese_frogs

2007-04-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

from www.usgs.gov

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/eqmonitoring/eq-mon-6.php

"At the occurrence of an earthquake, one of the eight dragon-mouths would release a ball into the open mouth of the toad situated below. The direction of the shaking determined which of the dragons released its ball."

Prototype 07

2007-03-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

We started off testing out different outputs that can trigger a sensor connected to another board. In Prototype 07 we attached a motor as an output system that causes a vibration across the plexi board surface that triggers another sensor that is connected to another input-output system. The second system's output triggers a fan to start up. This is an initial beginning of our idea of a wireless system that triggers one another in a looping effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfuJDiNZQnI

Prototype 06

2007-03-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

In Prototype 06 we tried experimenting with different materials that can transmit vibrations across the surface. In this case, we used a thick sheet of plexi and attached the piezo sensor to the suface. We discovered that by tapping at all corners of the board, the vibration from the tapping was trasmitted across the surface, triggering the sensor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beWofszufR4

Prototype 05

2007-03-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

With the idea of creating a wireless system in mind we tried different materials that are sensitive enough to trigger the piezo sensor.

In prototype 05 we attached the piezo sensor to a long feather that hung over the ledge of the table and by gently brushing another feather against the initial feather, it triggers the sensor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O7M7-_XllA

Otto Arm with Sensor

2007-03-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

In this phase of the experiment we reintroduced the motion sensors system. Here we attched a second system arm using or original styrene model. When indicating motion the first arm would trigger and move. While retractiing the sensor would close and when tripped again would move the otto hand. The motion was controlled by the micro control system by directing the hand to move on a ordered sequence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfExNZ3f2r4

elephant trunk robot

2007-03-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

...a reference from the below times article

http://www.ece.clemson.edu/crb/labs/biomimetic/elephant.htm

a variation of the elephant trunk is also something called OCTOR which has suction cups along the trunk (making it more like an octopus arm).

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn9124-robotic-tentacles-get-to-grips-with-tricky-objects.html

Robot using shape-memory alloy

2007-03-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/science/27robo.html?hp

Frie Otto Arm2

2007-03-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

In this process we went back and incorporated the original micro-controller chip within our Otto experiment. With our Otto arm, which has three flexenol wires attached to it, we could adjust how it would move in certain directions based on computer script. This video whos that movement of the arm system when trigging off the wires in different orders. 1, 2, 3, 1-2, 1-3, 2-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrPXgETvpM

2007-03-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Make.com:
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/03/ken_rinaldo_robotic_sculp.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890

Adam Greenfield on Voice Recognition

2007-03-17T11:03:00.001-07:00

"But of all audio channel measures, it is voice-recognition that is
most obviously called upon in constructing a computing that is
supposed to be invisible but everywhere. Voices can, of course, be
associated with specific people, and this can be highly useful in
providing for differential permissioning--liquor cabinets that unlock
in response to spoken commands issued by adults in the household,
journals that refuse access to any but their owners. Speech, too,
carries clear cues as to the speaker's emotional state; a household
system might react to these alongside whatever content is actually
expressed--yes, the volume can be turned down in response to your
command, but should the timbre of your voice indicate that stress and
not loudness is the real issue, maybe the ambient lighting is softened
as well.

We shouldn't lose sight of just how profound a proposition
voice-recognition represents when it is coupled to effectors employed
in the wider environment. For the first time, the greater mass of
humanity can be provided with a practical mechanism by which their
'perlocutionary' utterances--speech acts intended to bring about a
given state--can change the shape and texture of reality."

--Adam Greenfield, Everyware: The Dawning Age of Ubiquitous Computing
(New Riders, 2006)

Experiment Phase 3

2007-03-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

These are the videos of our continued umbrella piece experiment. Here we attached two flexional wires to the umbrella to control the movement of the arm. One wire would lift the umbrella arm while the other would retract it. The second video also shows our attempt at hybridizing the styrene tube piece and the umbrella in order to generate a more controlled movement in the arm. Our latest experiment is taking a Frei Otto inspiration an applied to our process. This is done by adding the flexional wire through pieces of plexi-glass that is attached to a styrene rod. We also looked at how a difference in battery voltage would affect the movement of the piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wouJoenmo4A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNE8ll3mFc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psqRWkJKxzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcXydBWKl7E

Prototype 04

2007-03-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

From our previous experiments, we discovered that the radio shack piezo sensors weren't sensitive enough, so we ordered some piezo strips from the parallax site and found them to be very inexpensive and much more sensitive.

By using the same connection on the board we tried different ways to create a vibration on a surface that can trigger the piezo sensors.

We first tried to create a surface that was receptive to vibration like a "drum surface". With the use of an embroidery hoop and mylar we laid the piezo sensor on the surface and hit the surface of the mylar to create a vibration.

We also tried other means of triggering the sensor. By attaching a piece of mylar onto the piezo sensor, and blowing on to the mylar we were also capable of triggering the sensor as well.

Prototype 04 : Using wind to trigger the sensor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp61nX5vWn8

Prototype 03

2007-03-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

From the previous experiment we realized that the piezo sensors weren't as sensitive as we expected, therefore we decided to break open the sensor covers. We also learned that the piezo sensors are triggered when there is a slight vibration or when the thin strip is bent.

In Prototype 03 we attached the sensor strips to wire legs hoping that with enough vibration it can trigger the piezo strips.

With the our understanding of how sound produces vibrations in the air, we decided to place one of the wire legs onto speakers and by playing a sound, the vibrations would trigger the piezo sensors.

Prototype 03 : Wire legs transmitting vibrations to the piezo sensors with bjork screaming on the speakers. The Output is a very faint sound produced by another piezo sensor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQAncWWwFS4