Author: Justin Wu

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Recitation Four: Drawing Machine by Justin Wu

All Components:

1 x 42STH33-0404AC Stepper Motor
1 x SN754410NE IC Chip
1 x Power Jack
1 x 12 VDC Power Supply
1 x Arduino Kit 

2 x Laser-cut short arms
2 x Laser-cut long arms
1 x Laser-cut motor holder
2 x 3D printed motor coupling
5 x Paper Fasteners
1 x Pen 
Paper

Step One: Build the Circuit:

Components:

1 x 42STH33-0404AC Stepper Motor
1 x SN754410NE IC Chip
1 x Power Jack
1 x 12 VDC Power Supply
1 x Arduino Kit and its contents

Code:

Step Two: Control rotation with a potentiometer

Components:

1 x 42STH33-0404AC Stepper Motor
1 x SN754410NE IC Chip
1 x Power Jack
1 x 12 VDC Power Supply
1 x Arduino Kit 

Code:

Step Three: Build a Drawing Machine

Components:

1 x 42STH33-0404AC Stepper Motor
1 x SN754410NE IC Chip
1 x Power Jack
1 x 12 VDC Power Supply
1 x Arduino Kit 

2 x Laser-cut short arms
2 x Laser-cut long arms
1 x Laser-cut motor holder
2 x 3D printed motor coupling
5 x Paper Fasteners
1 x Pen 
Paper

Question 1:

What kind of machines would you be interested in building? Add a reflection about the use of actuators, the digital manipulation of art, and the creative process to your blog post.

I would be interested in building a portable air purifier. Living in Shanghai means that I am more likely to be exposed to below average air conditions and I believe everyone who lives in this city will benefit significantly from owning an air purifier. A cheap portable air purifier will better integrate foreigners or tourists into the bustling Shanghai city life as well as improve the livelihood of the citizens.

The use of the actuators in this week’s recitation is not as useful as it could be. The actuators carried out the code that was uploaded to the Arduino and did not do more than it was asked. However, I am intrigued by the digital manipulation of art as we head into a refreshed digital age. I believe we will still see traditional forms of art, but artists will seek to incorporate more digital trends into their creative process and develop more art pieces that are constructed on a secure digital foundation.

Question 2:

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?

Shawn Decker’s “Scratch Series, 2002” reminds me of the drawing machine we made during recitation. In his project, Shawn Decker probably selected actuators that respond quickly to sounds to create a rhythm and also to scratch the surface. 

I think this project is unique, and I cannot think of anyone that can come up with such an exciting idea, especially one that seeks to understand the rhythms of scratching. This project is similar to our drawing machine as it creates a sensory stimulus; Decker’s plan emits sounds and visual sensations while our drawing machine creates visible sensations. However, I believe Shawn Decker’s project required a more specific and crafted actuator in comparison to our drawing machine actuator. 

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Group Research Project: Justin Wu

My definition:

After a few lectures, I completely changed my initial definition of interaction. Before I enrolled in Interaction Lab, I used to think that interaction is just communicating or involving directly with another person or object. However, I now define interaction as not only one person/object acting on another person/object but both person/object acting on each other. Interaction should be an exchanging relationship, and it should not be defined as just a one-way street.

The project that aligned with my definition:

I drew much inspiration from this anti-drawing machine project — this machine aligned with my new expectations interaction for many reasons. First, although the name itself might suggest it is counterproductive, it provided the participants with a refreshing experience. The machine makes “Arduino, A4988 stepper motor drivers, and custom enclosure” to challenge the fundamental way that humans interact with robots. Human beings often collaborate with robots, machines and rely on precision, accuracy to create a result. However, the creators of the Anti-Drawing Machine decided to manipulate the machine by disrupting the participants drawing process. They describe the machine as “a robot that can be whimsical and imperfectly characteristic.”

By using motion sensors, the machine intervenes whenever the participants begin to draw. Though it might be frustrating for the illustrators at the beginning of the experiment, they realize the device follows no logic and is merely trying to have fun. At the end of the process, every participant receives a unique piece of art that involved two parties acting on each other. The machine and the participants collaborated and allowed one another to have fun. This machine aligned with my new expectations interaction for many reasons.

Anti-Drawing Machine – Whimsical and imperfectly characteristic collaborator

The project that did not align with my definition:

In this article, I found a project that did not align with my definition of interaction. Unlike the machine mentioned above, this machine not only frustrates participants but also provide a one-dimensional experience. According to the creators, this machine is “a collection of experiments where a robot was programmed to perform counterproductive tasks” The machine’s multi-purpose approach and the blog’s vague description confused me, and I proceeded to watch the video. I quickly realized the device did not align with my definition of interaction as I watched the video. The machine did not interact with the participants. Instead, it merely got a reaction out of the participants. The participants were mostly idle and reacted to the machine after the machine acted. I believe this machine does not align with the definition of interaction as the two parties did not act on one another. Instead, the participant acted on the actions of the machine.

The Center for Counter-Productive Robotics – Human-centric approach to automation

Group Project:

Our group created a device called “iMirror” that can redefine human beings skin care routine. iMirror consists of artificial intelligence within the mirror that can scan every user’s face, store data, offer advice about skin care and also advise which products to use. By having a mirror that is capable of speaking to each user and hold a conversation, the two parties feed off of each other and therefore act on one another, creating a partnership. Essentially an iMirror is like every user’s dermatologists, and it can speak to every user while also offering precise advice to users that can revitalize every participant’s skin. As iMirror and it’s users bounce ideas off each other and genuinely interact, I believe iMirror aligns with my definition of interaction.

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Recitation 3: Sensors

Recitation 3

Partner: Guangbo Niu

Instructor: Professor Marcela

Reflection:

Displaying IMG_1963.jpg

In today’s recitation, my partner and I decided to try the infrared distance sensor. I had some knowledge about this sort of sensor, but it still was not an easy task to complete. First, we started by unboxing the Arduino kit and connecting the infrared distance sensor to the Arduino Uno by jumper cables. Then, we found the code necessary to make the sensor work and tried to run the system. However, my partner and I carelessly forgot to change the analog output on the code (from A9 to our A1). After we addressed the analog issue, we tested the sensor through the serial monitor, and a series of changing number (distance) proved we had the first part complete. We moved onto trying to connect a LED light from the Arduino Uno to the breadboard to make a blinking LED. With the help of Eszter, we realized we needed an extra series of code called map functions. Guangbo and I found the code and tested it on our Arduino Uno and again we were successful. However, it did not last long, and we started collecting inconsistent data. We consulted a professor and realized we should attach a resistor to ensure the circuit works consistently. Upon connecting the resistor, we faced no more problems.

Reference:

https://www.arduino.cc/reference/en/language/functions/math/map/

Question 1:

I intended to assemble a blinking LED, infrared distance sensor test. Our combination is already widely used around the world. The most apparent example is every car’s reverse sensors. Although most cars nowadays either use a sound system along with a camera screen, some cars still use LED lights to indicate the distance between the sensor and the wall.

Question 2:

I believe the code can be compared to a recipe because as long as we follow the steps, we will be guaranteed with a result. However at the same time, following a standard method will only yield a universal effect. If we substitute a step, ingredient for another, we could be getting a result that is similar but not identical. I believe coding is often compared to following a recipe because, despite its rigidness, everyone can still include their creativity to see what happens.

Question 3:

I believe in this new media age, human beings no longer controls computers in some instances. Old media always involved a human creator who assembled all data however nowadays data are assembled by variability and characteristics. Human beings no longer have to do any work and can rely on computers to assemble suitable data. Therefore I believe this directly influences human being’s laziness. We begin to become dependent on technology and become less aware of our inabilities.

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Recitation Two: Arduino Basics by Justin Wu

Lab Date: Feb 22, 2019

Instructor: Marcela

Lab Partner: Julie Huang

All Materials:

1x Arduino Uno: Houses all inputs and serves as power channel for the breadboard (output)

1x USB A to B cable:  Connects the Arduino computer program to the Arduino Uno. Used to transmit codes.

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components.

1x Buzzer: Creates beeping sound when there is an electric current flow.

2x LED: Omits light when connected to a power source

2x 220-ohm Resistor: To reduce current flow

2x 10k oHm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer): To change resistance in a closed circuit.

2x Push Button Switch: A switch that is able to connect the whole circuit when pressed

2x Arcade Button: A soldered button that is able to connect the whole circuit when pressed.

A handful of Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

1x Multimeter: Measures voltage, resistance, and current.

Circuit One:

Circuit One Components:

1x Arduino Uno: Houses all inputs and serves as power channel for the breadboard (output)

1x USB A to B cable:  Connects the Arduino computer program to the Arduino Uno. Used to transmit codes.

2x LED: Omits light when connected to a power source

2x 220-ohm Resistor: To reduce current flow

A handful of Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components.

How to ground?

We forgot to connect an additional ground cable to the other “grounding cable” that was connected to the LED light. Therefore while we had most of the circuit complete, the missing grounding cable led to an incomplete circuit.

Circuit Two:

Circuit Two Components:

1x Arduino Uno: Houses all inputs and serves as power channel for the breadboard (output)

1x USB A to B cable:  Connects the Arduino computer program to the Arduino Uno. Used to transmit codes.

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components.

1x Buzzer: Creates beeping sound when there is an electric current flow.

A handful of Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

How to organize the cables?

My partner and I tried to create a clean and tidy breadboard. We carefully color coordinated the cables, red for power, black for ground, white and yellow for connecting to the buzzer. Other than organizing the cables, this circuit was easy to make.

Circuit Three:

Circuit Three Schematic:

Displaying IMG_1886.jpg

Circuit Three Components:

1x Arduino Uno: Houses all inputs and serves as power channel for the breadboard (output)

1x USB A to B cable: Connects the Arduino computer program to the Arduino Uno. Used to transmit codes.

A handful of Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

1x Buzzer: Creates beeping sound when there is an electric current flow.

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components.

2x LED: Omits light when connected to a power source

2x Push Button Switch: A switch that is able to connect the whole circuit when pressed

2x 220-ohm Resistor: To reduce current flow

2x 10k oHm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer): To change resistance in a closed circuit.

Complex circuit?

The complex diagram confused my partner and me, as we started from the top of the diagram, we eventually forgot to ground and power our breadboard. Upon consulting the teacher assistants we realized we made an amateur mistake. Although we had carefully constructed this circuit, we did not power up or ground our entire circuit hence the game could not register.

Question 1:

After reading the text, it got me thinking about my daily technology use. Whenever I use any form of technology, and while I was building the circuits, I only think about the input and the output. However, the article reminds us to think deeper between our interaction with computers. Besides the input and output, for a communication to be complete, there must also be a processor. By having a computer program process choices and respond accordingly, it helps connect our input and output.  In my opinion, although the effort we put in and the result we receive is essential,  the processor is the component that glues interaction together.

Question 2:

If I had 100,000 LEDs at my disposal, I would use these lights to create bigger and better plants. Although LED lights are more expensive, it helps create a better environment for human beings. By using LED lights, there will be less waste, better efficiency. These factors will help counter the severe climate change we all face right now. By using LED lights to grow plants, I am contributing and investing in a better future for everyone.

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First Lab Post

Lab Date: Feb 15, 2019

Instructor: Marcela

Lab Partner: Julie Huang

Circuit One:

Displaying IMG_1873.jpg

Circuit One Components:

1x Buzzer: Creates beeping sound when there is an electric current flow.

1x 100 nF Capacitor: Acts as a power supply

1x Push Button Switch: Starts or stop connection in the electric circuit

1x LM7805 Voltage Regulator: To regulate and maintain a voltage level. In this circuit it helped transfer 12V voltage level to 5V voltage level

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components

1x 12 Voltage Power Supply: Acts as a stable power source

1x Barrel Jack: Used to connect extra low voltage devices to external electricity.

Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

Where is the power?

While connecting the jumper cables to the breadboard, Instructor Nick spotted a mistake about our circuit. He pointed out the jumper cables that are connected to provide power for the rows and we must connect other jumper cables to those specific rows to create a circuit.

Circuit Two:

Displaying IMG_1876.jpg

Circuit Two Components:

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components.

1x LM7805 Voltage Regulator: To regulate and maintain a voltage level. In this circuit, it helped transfer 12V voltage level to 5V voltage level.

1x Push Button Switch: Starts or stop connection in the electric circuit.

1x Arcade Button: A button that had to be soldered but is able to connect the whole circuit when pressed.

1x 220-ohm Resistor: To reduce current flow

1x LED: Omits light when connected to a power source

1x Barrel Jack: Used to connect extra-low voltage devices to external electricity.

Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

1x nF (0.1uF) Capacitor: To store electrical energy

1x 12V power supply: Provides power source

1x Multimeter: Measures voltage, resistance, and current.

How do you efficiently use the breadboard?

While trying to put circuit two together, we realize the buzzer occupied quite a lot of breadboard space. Therefore my partner and I, with the help of the professors, decided to plant the buzzer on two different sections of the motherboard (as indicated on the picture above). 

Circuit Three:

Circuit Three Components:

1x Breadboard: A construction base for connecting components.

1x LM7805 Voltage Regulator: To regulate and maintain a voltage level. In this circuit, it helped transfer 12V voltage level to 5V voltage level.

1x Push Button Switch: A switch that is able to connect the whole circuit when pressed.

1x 220-ohm Resistor: To reduce current flow

1x 10k oHm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer): To change resistance in a closed circuit.

1x LED: Omits light when connected to a power source.

1x 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor: Stores electrical energy.

1x 12 Volt power supply: Provides power source

1x Barrel Jack: Used to connect extra-low voltage devices to external electricity.

Jumper Cables: To connect components and pieces.

1x Multimeter: Measures voltage, resistance, and current.

How can we organize our breadboard?

While trying to attempt circuit three, my partner and I quickly realize it was the most complex out of all the challenges. Circuit three required the most jumper cables and cables are confusing and easy to tangle up. Therefore we decided to use different colored cables and spread out the cables in order to make the circuit three easier.

Reflection:

I did not encounter a huge problem trying to put the pieces together for the different circuits. Instead, my partner and I had a more difficult time trying to envision how we can place the components together to achieve the goal. As it is our first time trying to understand how electricity works, we had to consult the professors regarding how we can work out the diagrams. However after we had a general idea/pattern, we learned the ideas and employed it onto the circuits following circuit one.

Answers:

Question One:

After reading the text, I realize the circuits we built today included interactivity as all circuits included an input, an output, and a process. Although these circuits can be considered a lower degree of interaction, it still took two parties to create a reaction. One party is the circuit and the other party being the conductors (my partner and I) pressing a switch. Therefore, I believe our circuits do include interactivity, according to the definition found in the article.

Question Two:

After building the three circuits, I believe we were introduced to the interactive design component but I feel like physical computing is vital to being able to create Interactive Art.  Physical computing and interaction design both involve building interactive software that consists of a stimulus and a response. By creating interactive software that can provide a different response, it attracts users to attempt different stimulus. Especially with technology advancements, the potential templates for interactive art is plentiful and the future is broad.