Archives for October 2022

Step 1: Choose your motif

 

 

For this week’s recitation,  I chose this image of a sunset at the beach, because it was the first picture that had my attention while I was going through my gallery. The image consisted of  3 areas, sky, ocean, and sand. The approach that was suggested to me by Rudy, was to separate each of the areas into rectangles, as it was easier to color, and the original image was a landscape that was separated into sections. 

Step 2: Draw your image on paper

 

 

Step 3: Draw your image with code

 

The final creation consists of the top part, which represents the sky on the blue part, and the orange part represents the sunset. The next spot shaded dark blue represents the ocean, and the boulder on the right represents a rock. The brown section represents sand at the beach. I think that the location of objects in both original pic, and processing render are quite similar. However, I do not think that processing was a good means of realizing the original picture with what we have learned. It lacks the organic shapes that are found on the original picture. If one were to implement the organic shapes it would be quite hard, and take a long time to complete. 

Code:

void setup() {
  size(600, 600);
}

void draw() {
  background(255);

  //water
  fill(#2235AA);
  rect(0, 219, 600, 600);

  //sky blue
  fill(#269DEA);
  rect(0, 0, 600, 108);

  //sky orange
  fill(#F59F00);
  rect(0, 110, 600, 109);

  //rock
  fill(0);
  rect(520, 200, 100, 100, 10);

  //sand
  fill(#462D09);
  rect(0, 260, 600, 600);

  println(mouseX, mouseY);
}

 

1. Auto-Trashcan-  KENNETH CHU – GOTTFRIED

 

1. CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
   

I think that the previous research project provided me with the idea of how easy it was to work with cardboard. It also gave me some insight into interactivity from watching other groups present their projects. My definition of interaction is the feedback one receives from doing an action, such as my project, in which my trash can opens its lid automatically when it senses someone is near. I think that something significant about my project is the ability for me to automate a task that was annoying for me, since the mechanism in my trash can back in my dorm was broken. Since similar designs already exist, one example of its application outside of my own use is a hospital room in developing countries such as Ecuador. Nurses in such countries often don’t have the necessary vaccine needle covers that protect them from being stabbed by the needle, and since the disposal bins are manual, some nurses have been stabbed accidentally which puts them at risk of being infected by a disease. I think an automatic disposal bin such as mine could help reduce the amount of accidental needle stabbings in developing countries.

 

CONCEPTION AND DESIGN:

My partner and I knew from the beginning that this trash can was meant to be put on the floor, so it made sense to put the ultrasonic sensor at the bottom of the bin. We used the 2 images below as references, but we knew they wouldn’t work, because of how the cables were managed. For the materials, we used cardboard. This decision was made, because cardboard was easily available to us, and we both had some experience with it. Moreover, cardboard was very easy to cut, unlike wood, which requires special machinery to cut. Another we could have used was plastic, but it would be harder to find plastic in such a shape we were expecting. 

 

Visual references for the project:

• Sketch/ diagram initial prototype:

 

FABRICATION AND PRODUCTION:

Firstly, my partner and I met together and both of us proposed our ideas, and we decided to go on with mine. The mechanism we decided to use was an ultrasound sensor attached to a servo motor, which would be triggered when it sensed something within a certain distance. Afterwards, we looked for a box that resembled a trash can, because building it from scratch would result in not being aesthetically pleasing. We then spray painted it with an oil based paint, thus leaving a shiny finish. I think that the communication between me and my partner was pretty good, and living on the same floor, we could easily work on the project whenever we wanted to. I focused more on the software side, and he focused more on the fabrication process. 

 

Spray painting: 

 

 

We started designing the schematic in Tinkercad, which is a tool we used in previous recitations. After viewing different projects on the arduino project hub and using them as references, this is the schematic we designed. We built the schematic, and coded it on the same day in the dorm, because it is really hard for us to concentrate on the IMA studio, as there are too many people doing different things. Then we mounted everything together in Thursday’s class. We decided to use the battery pack as a power option, because it would facilitate cable management, and the arduino also had a memory storage, so it could remember the code. 

 

Schematic: 

 

Circuit: 

 

Circuit test: 

 

Mounting together:

 

Inside view:

 

For the coding part, we also looked in the arduino project hub for references, as well as to the slides provided to us. Below is the initial code. We modified this code, because we thought that it made the mechanism too aggressive, and sometimes it sent the lid flying backwards. After talking with Gottfried in Thursday’s class, he suggested to us to make the servo motor activate in stages, and put some delay which in turn resulted in a smoother opening of the lid. The new code can be found below and the stage activation is in bold.

 

Initial code: 
#include
Servo servo;
int const Pulse = 9; //blue cable
int const Echoreceive = 10; // green cable

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600); //channel for serial monitor
pinMode(Pulse, OUTPUT);
pinMode(Echoreceive, INPUT);
servo.attach(6); //Blue long cable
}
void loop() {
int duration, distance;
digitalWrite(Pulse, HIGH);

digitalWrite(Pulse, LOW);

duration = pulseIn(Echoreceive, HIGH);

distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;
//We found distance formula from arduino project hub.

// servo triger distance is from 0 – 45 cm
if (distance <= 45 && distance >= 0) {

servo.write(90);
delay(3000);
} else {

servo.write(180);
}

delay(10);

Serial.print(“Distance: “);

Serial.print(distance);
Serial.println(“cm”);
delay(300);
}
 

Second code: 
#include
Servo servo;
int const Pulse = 9; //blue cable
int const Echoreceive = 10; // green cable
int open;

void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600); //channel for serial monitor
pinMode(Pulse, OUTPUT);
pinMode(Echoreceive, INPUT);
servo.attach(6); //Blue long cable
}
void loop() {
int duration, distance;
digitalWrite(Pulse, HIGH);

digitalWrite(Pulse, LOW);

duration = pulseIn(Echoreceive, HIGH);

distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;
//We found distance formula from arduino project hub.

// servo triger distance is from 0 – 15 cm
if (distance <= 15 && distance >= 0) {

if (open == 0) {

//servo.write(90);
//delay(5000);

servo.write(162);
delay(100);

servo.write(153);
delay(100);

servo.write(144);
delay(100);

servo.write(135);
delay(100);

servo.write(126);
delay(100);

servo.write(117);
delay(100);

servo.write(108);
delay(100);

servo.write(90);
open = 1;
delay(5200);
}
} else {
open = 0;

servo.write(180);
}

delay(10);

Serial.print(“Distance: “);

Serial.print(distance);
Serial.println(“cm”);
delay(300);
}

 

After the user testing session we realized that we had made one major design flaw. At first we placed the ultrasonic sensor outside the box, which allowed it to have a better detection range. However people were stepping on the sensor during the test round, which could very possibly damage it, so after the class we decided to place it inside the box, with just the ultrasonic part protruding out. This was effective, because it protected the mechanism from damage, but we also had to reduce the detection distance to 15 cm, in order to avoid false triggers. As for the feedback received, it mostly focused on how this project could be applied on a larger scale, and increasing the volume of the trash can. The code was also slightly modified to hold for 5.2 seconds when it was triggered, and to keep open as long it sensed something in front of the trashcan. 

 

ultrasonic sensor first design: 

 

 

 

New ultrasonic design sketch: 

 

New ultrasonic design: 

 

User testing Feedback: 

 

User testing: 

 

Final Test:

 

1. CONCLUSIONS:

 To summarize this project, we had to create a an artifact that was either, useful, interesting, or entertaining. With me choosing the first option, because I wanted to solve a problem I had back in the dorm. Automation of a mundane task could also help people save a lot of time, in the long run. I think that our project aligns with my concept of interaction, because it provides a response (opening) every time time you put a input in it (senses something). I think that most of the audience that tried interacting with our project figured out what to pretty quickly. I think that an aspect we could improve, if we had more time would be the finishes for the trash can, as it looks really basic. I learned that I can always ask for help, and or suggestions from other people if we are not sure what to do, but ultimately it for us to decide what to do. My takeaway from this project is on how to plan and execute a project, and also how I could be able to better introduce a background story into my designs. The whole process was really rewarding to me from start to finish, and I am looking forward to next coming weeks!

 

Other people testing:

 

 

References: 

 

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/abdularbi17/ultrasonic-sensor-hc-sr04-with-arduino-tutorial-327ff6 ** allowed us to view how the code looked like, and how the sensor worked. 

 

https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/electronics/servo-motors ** review on servos

 

https://www.arduino.cc/education/smart-trash-can ** schematic ideas

 

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/corn_isamazing/smart-trash-can-d080e3 ** schematic ideas

 

https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/ashraf_minhaj/arduino-trash-bot-auto-open-close-trash-bin-fef238?ref=search&ref_id=cardboard&offset=49 ** code ideas

 

 

• A. SMART TRASH BIN- KENNETH CHU – GOTTFRIED

 

• B. SKETCHES AND/OR DIAGRAMS

• C. PROJECT EXPLANATION

 

I was inspired by the trash bin that is in my dorm, because the lid mechanism is broken, so I always have to manually lift the bin in order to dispose of trash. I think this project falls into the significant topic of automation of an everyday task. 

Recitation 4

Step 1: Build the circuit

For today’s recitation, we are building a mechanism with a stepper motor, and an H bridge that allows the motor to reverse the spinning motion, without the need of rewiring the cables, which basically makes it bipolar. We are also using a higher voltage, so to protect our laptops, we are using a usb protector. The process went very smoothly, as we followed the schematic above. 

 

Finished Circuit:

Time lapse Build:

 

 

Step 2 & 3: Build a cardboard mechanism!

The mechanism for today’s recitation was built using cardboard, and a 3d printed adaptor shaft, along with some rivets to hold the cardboard together. After the mechanism was done, we mounted the stepper motor in between, and sealed off everything. For the personalization part, we drew a fist and cut it out, because we felt that a fist motion could be easily mimicked by the mechanism’s range of motion.

 

Time lapse build Cutting part:  

 

 

Time lapse build Mounting: 

 

 

 

Finished mechanism

 

Finished project: 

 

For the coding part, we used the code provided to us in the instructions and tested everything, to make sure it worked. After further code modifications, we decided to change the delay value to 100, and we noticed that the stepper motor spun faster, from side to side. Afterwards, we modified the code. For the last modification, we changed the speed of clockwise rotation to 60 making it faster, and the speed of counterclockwise value to 20, making it slower, therefore giving the fist the effect of punching really fast at first, and winding up to punch again. The code with the highlighted part can be found below. 

 

#include <Stepper.h>

 

const int stepsPerRevolution = 300;  // change this to fit the number of steps per revolution

// for your motor

 

// initialize the stepper library on pins 8 through 11:

Stepper myStepper(stepsPerRevolution, 8, 9, 10, 11);

 

void setup() {

 // set the speed at 60 rpm:

 myStepper.setSpeed(60);

 // initialize the serial port:

 Serial.begin(9600);

}

 

void loop() {

 // step one revolution  in one direction:

 myStepper.setSpeed(60);

 Serial.println(“clockwise”);

 myStepper.step(stepsPerRevolution);

 delay(100);

 

 // step one revolution in the other direction:

 myStepper.setSpeed(20);

 Serial.println(“counterclockwise”);

 myStepper.step(-stepsPerRevolution);

 delay(100);

 

Test run with default code:

 

 

 

Delay 100: 

 

 

Different setSpeed video: 

 

 

Additional Questions

Question 1: Choose an art installation mentioned in the reading ART + Science NOW, Stephen Wilson (Kinetics chapter). Post your thoughts about it and make a comparison with the work you did during this recitation. How do you think that the artist selected those specific actuators for his project?

“The drumming and Drawing Subhuman” 

I think that the main objective of this installation was to make a robot resemble natural human motion. I believe that it can relate to today’s recitation, because after we completed the mechanism, we tried to program it in a way so that it could resemble the natural punching motion of a human. 

 

Question 2: What kind of mechanism would you be interested in building for your midterm project? Explain your idea using a sketch (conceptual or technical) with a list of materials that you plan to use. Include details about the ways that you expect the user to embrace in a physical interaction with your project. In particular, explain how would your motor (or motors) with a mechanism will be different than using an animation on a digital screen.

I am considering a trash can that could be activated via a motion sensor. The motion would trigger a reaction, so that a servo motor can spin to a certain direction, and the tab attached to the servo motor would allow the lid of the trash can to open. I am automating an everyday process that most people take for granted, so the user could just wave their hand, and the lid will automatically open, and close after a determined period of time. It will be different because it will be a physical object, which you can expect a physical reaction to happen, unlike a digital mechanism, that will only be happening inside a screen. 

STEP 4: REPORT

First, write about the idea your group focused on that fulfills the assigned criteria. Explain precisely how what your group invented derives from, responds to or relates, in some significant manner, to the established form of interaction you identified in your research of the two projects in the RESEARCH phase of the project. Provide idea sketches for your design and explain your decisions. Give your opinion on the successes and the failures of the artifact. Please clarify exactly what contributions and roles you personally made to the process and project along the way, and describe the process your group used to work together.

After the first meeting with the group, we concluded that Tawan’s headband was the best idea. You could use it to control logic/emotion as the object that fit the group’s idea of interaction. This headband allowed its user to switch between a percentage of being logical/ emotional during different situations. One example of such is doing homework, you can switch the logical knob all the way, and this would give you an advantage to concentrate, and finish the homework quickly. The interactive part stems from the wearer’s capability to identify the situation, and turn the knobs, and the helmet’s ability to hone precisely into both characteristics. 

Sketch Idea: 

At first, we wanted to build a helmet. But we soon realized that we would use more cardboard, and sizing would be kind of hard as everyone has a different head size. At the end we decided to go for a design that would allow us to adjust the sizing in an easier way, so we came up with an adjustable headband. As for group roles, I personally organized the WeChat group, and made sure to make meetings in order to work on the project. I was also responsible for planning the different stages of the project. 

 

Next, provide a critical analysis and assessment of a performance from another group. Start with the description of the project. How relevant/not relevant is the interactive artifact to the fictional story? How well/not well does it meet the criteria of the assignment? What is your opinion of the design of the device? How creatively does the performance help you understand the artifact? Do you have any suggestions for improvements?

The Perfumer Group:

 

This team’s prototype consisted of a machine that could generate any smell the user wanted through typing keywords in an app. For this project, I did identify it with “The Veldt” story, because it has something to do with AR, because the story is based on a device that could transport you anywhere you could imagine. I think it kind of meets the criteria for the assignment, because we had to invent a device that didn’t exist, but similar technologies already exist, one example is the Disneyland ride “Soarin” in which smell is incorporated into the experience as the user is transported to different places around the world. But the device is interactive, because it allows the user to generate the smell on site. Another example is the AI algorithm that is used to generate the smells. Similar technology already exists in the form of AI art, which allows the user to generate an image based on the words typed. I think the design was pretty standard as it was just a box with electronics inside. The performance allowed the users to understand the purpose of the artifact very clearly. So I don’t have any suggestions. 

 

 

In your blog entry, you should include your script. You can include pictures of your props and costumes etc. If you have a video of the rehearsal or a recording of the actual performance, you may include it as well. Describe clearly how your teamwork was, the different roles, the task allocations, and how was the communication within the team.

Our team was very communicative. Me and Flora, worked mostly on the script part, whereas Tawan, Datian, and Junyi were focused more on the building part. We decided to work with cardboard, because it was an easy material to work with. As with showing up with the meetings, everyone was responsible. We often contributed different ideas regarding the prototype, and the script. So I believe the team was working really well together.

 

Script:

 Scene 1

Stephen:  (pretends to be crying)

 

Kenneth: 

 

* Walks pasts Stephen and sees him crying*

 

*stops and switches the button to the “logical” side

 

*changes attitude* 

 

Kenneth: Hey, I see you’re upset, do you want to talk about what happened?

 

Stephen: Yes, I can’t finish my recitation blogs. They are too long. It was like at least 800 words for each blog. I can’t take it any more. 

 

Kenneth: I finished mine a really long time ago. You should catch up, you’re so slow.

 

Stephen: you’re so mean, “switches knob for emotional side”

 

Kenneth: oh, I can relate. It’s all going to be fine, I can help you do it!

 

Stephen: thanks bro *hugs me*

 

Scene 2

 

Flora: *trips Freddie*

 

Freddie: *falls and cries*

 

Tawan: *puts the helmet on*

*switches the button to the logical side*

*changes attitude* 

“Next time you should calculate the possibility of that happening so this wouldn’t happen to you again.”

 

Freddie: How am I supposed to know what she’s going to do?

 

Tawan: “There’s a high probability that your friend would prank you, 70% to be precise. Your mental capability is just not high enough to see that coming”. 

 

Freddie: “You know that most people would be helping me instead of lecturing me about what to do right?”

 

Tawan: “Emotions are temporary. Logics are permanent. People can change emotions, but they can’t change facts. I am telling you what to do so you can think more rationally instead of crying like a baby”.

 

Freddie: “I don’t like you”.

 

Tawan: *switches the button to the emotional side*

“I’m so sorry bro I don’t know what came over me, you good?”

 

Freddie: “Yea I’m okay bro, thanks for asking”

 

Tawan: *holds out his hand to Freddie and helps him get up*

 

    

 Scene 3

Stephen : *puts the helmet on with the emotional mode*

 

Freddie: Why don’t we go out tonight?

 

Stephen: Yay, lez goooo! Where are we going? Clubbing?

 

Freddie: Yeah, but I really don’t feel like clubbing, maybe dinner?

 

Stephen: *switches his helmet to the logical side*

 

Stephen: Yes, that sounds better. We have a lot of interaction lab homework to do. It’s a Wednesday night, Freddie.

 

Freddie: You’re right, we should finish all of our work today. You are so logical!!

 

Pictures: 

 

 

Finished Prototype:

Wheel Turning mechanism:
 

Performance Video: