Author: Mimi Cai

Step 1:

This step involves building up the circuit, as well as opening the oneRevolution code from the example. For me, the only tricky thing during this process is to correctly connect the IC into the circuit. Also, the huge amount of wires require great patience, for it took me 10 to realize that I forgot to connect the ground on the breadboard with Arduino.

Step 2:

This step aims at realizing the control of the rotation of the stepper motor. The circuit is exactly the same as step one, but a few changes need to be done to the code. Firstly, we need to change the number of steps to 200 to fit the model of the stepper motor. We also need to add the map function to the code, so as to turn analogRead into analogWrite.

Step 3:

During this step, we need to cooperate with another person who has also come to this stage. We need to put together the arms of the drawing machine and connect our Arduino together. My partner and I each controlled one of the arms by rotating the knob and path of the pen reflect and depicts both our movements. Although it seems hard to draw anything vivid, the drawing machine is still very fun to play with!

Question 1:

For me, the kind of machine I want to build should be interactive and entertaining. My partner and I are thinking about making a maze of LEDs. By using the joysticks, users can control which led to light up. And for the maze part, they need to reach the endpoint from the start point by moving from one led to another on this path. What’s more, there will also be barriers that block some paths, meaning that not every path is available. The lighting box is also highly engaging, for my partner and I intend to design a competition, which is similar to the one we build during the second recitation. There will be two sets of LEDs on the surface of the box, and the one who gets to the end point first will have the buzzer buzzing. Therefore, this lighting maze box can be engaging and entertaining.

Question 2:

When reading the article, I find the art installation named “devolution” very interesting. I think the most striking similarity between this installation and the machine we built on class is that they are both extensions of the human body. While the drawing machine is an extension of human hands which estimates its function of painting, the installation called devolution estimates human feet and its function of dancing. What’s more, both these inventions attach great importance to the interactivity between human beings and the machine, trying to integrate machines into a part of our life. I guess those artists selected those specific actuators according to the needs of the circuits, for example, its function, the voltage, input, and output. But above all, the ideas and inspirations they have for these amazing inventions are very likely to be stem from real life.

From my perspective, interactivity is defined by two essential characteristics. Firstly, to be interactive, two or more actors have to be involved and engaged with each other at the same time. As is argued by Crowford, “a key point about the interactive process” is that “[t]here are two actors, not one” (5). Indeed, there is no interactivity within one person, for one person can only have monologue rather than an effective, entertaining or even exploratory communication. This also leads to the second characteristic of interactivity, which is communication. While the communication between human beings undertakes the processes of listening, think and speak, the communication between human and machine also goes through three particular stages: input, process, and output. (Crowford, 5). Such communication has to involve a certain level of entertainment, exploration, and practicability. The reason why the lights on the refrigerator are not interactive is that it is simply a rather dull process. Also, according to Igoe, interactive artists should not speak too much when people are exploring their work. People should help themselves find out the functions and funs of artists’ work. In addition, the interactivity between humans and machines relies heavily on technologies like computer programming and coding. To make the communication smooth and effective, universalized instructions and orders are necessary.

For instance, a project called Open Highway, which is “a real-time light installation visualizing highway vehicles… from the Leidsche Rijn tunnel over the A2 highway in Utrecht, the Netherlands”(https://www.creativeapplications.net/environment/open-highway-surfacing-the-hidden-layers-of-the-city/), does not align with my definition of interactivity. As those lights are installed to reveal the hidden highway, this project lacks a certain level of entertainment. Although it can bring drivers great convenience, there is no essential difference between this project and the light on the refrigerator. The communication is dull and prone to be unilateral rather than bilateral. On the other hand, however, another project called Anti-Drawing Machine created by Soonho Kwon, Harsh Kedia, and Akshat Prakash aligns with my definition of interactivity. It goes against the utilitarian and precise communications between human and machines. Instead, Anti-Drawing Machine is a whimsical and imperfect robot that “allows either a disrupted or collaborative drawing by manipulating the rotation and position of an ordinary paper material” (https://www.creativeapplications.net/arduino-2/anti-drawing-machine-whimsical-and-imperfectly-characteristic-collaborator/). People have to explore the function and logic behind this machine, as well as enjoying the entertainment brought by it. Therefore, the communication between people and this Anti-Drawing Machine involves entertainment and exploration, which are important characteristics of interactivity according to my definition of it.

Our group decided to create a new type of 4D interactive billboard that can be used in 2119. Digital salespeople can jump out of this billboard and advertise their product to pedestrians. What’s more, digital salespeople can sensor passers-by’s emotions and physical conditions, so as to provide them with the most suitable products. People will be also to experience the products they want to buy in person. For example, if they are deciding whether to buy a perfume, the salesperson will show them the demo. Once they purchase the product, they are able to get it from the billboard instantly. Whenever people want to refuse the advertisement, they only need to wave their hands, and the digital salespeople will disappear, which is very simple and convenient. Such invention also helps reduce the waste of resources and spaces and contributes to the environment protection, hence has great economic, social and environmental value. The way that salespeople detect human conditions and needs, as well as the way people turn the advertisement down or enter the billboard to experience 4D advertisements indicate a high level of interaction between us human, the environment and the 4D interactive billboard. Therefore, this invention should be considered as highly interactive and technological. But at the same time, we are aware of the disadvantages of our invention. Advertisement can, from time to time, become annoying, including our 4D interactive billboard. To this extent, regulations need to be established and strict control of the number of billboards on the street should be implemented.

References:

Igoe, Tom. “Making Interactive Art: Set the Stage, Then Shut Up and Listen.” Code Circuits Construction, www.tigoe.com/blog/category/physicalcomputing/405/.

Visnjic, Filip. “Open Highway – Surfacing the Hidden Layers of the City.” CreativeApplications.Net, 15 Feb. 2019, www.creativeapplications.net/environment/open-highway-surfacing-the-hidden-layers-of-the-city/.

Crowford, Chris. “What Exactly Is Interactivity? ” The Art of Interactive Design, pp. 1–6.

Visnjic, Filip. “ Anti-Drawing Machine – Whimsical and Imperfectly Characteristic Collaborator.” CreativeApplications.Net, 8 Feb. 2019, www.creativeapplications.net/arduino-2/anti-drawing-machine-whimsical-and-imperfectly-characteristic-collaborator/.

Question 1:

During the recitation, my partner and I intend to build a circuit that can control the LED’s light according to the distance detected by the infrared distance sensor. The further the distance is, the lighter the LED is. I think such sensor combination can be applied to car manufacturing, for it can be used as the car light. When two cars encounter each other at a far distance, it is ok for the car lights to be stronger, and as the two cars get closer and closer, the car lights also need to be weaker so as to have a clear sight. The combination of the circuit we built can promote road safety, as well as make the cars more automatic and convenient to control.

Schematic:

Photos & Videos:

Question 2:

From my perspective, the code is often compared to following a recipe or tutorial in order to keep its universality, so that people from all over the world can understand each other’s code. Also, the universality of the code enables the interpretation, imitation, and learning of codes, which can greatly promote the development of coding. During this week’s recitation, I have deeply experienced the advantage brought by the universality of the code. Although it was the first time I tried to build a circuit like this, coding is not that difficult and confusing to me. Thanks to the paradigms and examples from the lectures. Although they are not the same, the universality of code makes sure that the way of coding can be applied to any situation as long as it matches programmers’ purposes.

Question 3:

I think the computer has influenced the way people interact and communicate with each other. For example, before the popularization of the computer, people used to meet each other in person or go shopping in the physical store. However, after the computer becomes an indispensable part of our life, we pay more attention to things on the internet, like we can chat with our friends on social media and do online shopping. However, this doesn’t mean that human being is less interested in interaction and communication, for people are always sparing no effort to update computers and social media to be more intelligent and user-friendly. Therefore, the computer does have influenced human behavior, as it has both enhanced and weakened human interaction and communication to a certain extent.

Circuit 1: Fade

Schematic:

Photos:

Reflection:

As we have tried to build this circuit during the class, this task was quite easy. We successfully built it during the recitation without difficulty.

Circuit 2: toneMelody

Schematic：

Photos:

  

Reflection:

For circuit 2, the schematic is quite simple, but we had a problem when trying to upload the program in Arduino. It showed that the program is overdue and failed to upload the program. Finally, after the assistance of a teaching fellow, we realized that it was because we forgot to change to the correct port. Once we fixed this mistake, the circuit started working. According to this experience, we should always make sure to change to the board and the port before uploading the program.

Circuit 3: Speed Game

Schematic：

Photos:

 

Reflection:

Compared to the previous two circuits which we built rather smoothly, this one is much harder. It took us some time to figure out how the electricity flows through the circuit and we made several mistakes during the process. Firstly, when we finished building the circuits and connect it to the computer, we found that the LEDs on the Arduino board did not light up, which indicates that we might have a short circuit. After checking the circuits, we found that we connected wires with the wrong leg of the switch. However, when we were testing the circuit, we found the LEDs on the Arduino board glittered as we push the button, which is another sign of short circuit. Therefore, we had to check the circuit again. It turned out that we have connected the wires to the wrong end of the resistor. After correcting the mistake, we tried to run the program for the third time, and luckily we succeed.

Question 1:

The use of technology in daily life and on the circuits are very important, for it is something that helps make our ideas true. Technology is an indispensable part of interaction because it enables us to control the interaction and make it do what we want. However, interaction should always be at the center of innovation. From my perspective, interaction means communication between human and machine. For example, people use their sense organs to either receive information from the machine or give instructions. And machines, in return, after inputting and process, output information that can be received by human sensory.

Question 2:

I will use them as streetlights and put them near roads and avenues. The LEDs might have different colors according to different weather or different time of the day. They can also be used to show the speed of the cars. For example, if cars exceed the speed limit, the LEDs will turn red. They might be used as early warnings as well. When there are cars coming from the opposite lane, the LED will glitter so as to warn drivers to pay attention.

Circuit 1: Door Bell

Components:
1 * LM7805 Voltage Regulator: to maintain a constant voltage level                        1 * 12-volt power supply: to provide the electrical power
1 * Breadboard: to provide a base for making electronic connections and aid in the prototyping of circuits.
1 * 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor: to store electricity while current is flowing into them, then release the energy when the incoming current is removed.   
1 * Push-Button Switch: a control mechanism which can be used to interrupt the flow of current through a circuit.
1 * Buzzer: create sounds when there is flowing electricity in the circuit
Several Jumper Cables (Hook-up Wires): to connect different components in the circuit

Diagram:

Photos:

Reflection:
As it is the first circuit we connect, we met a little bit more difficult to figure out how things work. But eventually, we figured out how the holes on the breadboard are connected. Another tricky thing is the approach to connect the switch into the circuit. With the help from one of the fellows, we found out that switch can be plugged into two sets of holes that are not connected so that the switch can actually realize its function as controlling whether there is electricity flowing in the circuit. During the process, we occasionally found that there was not enough space to put several connected appliances in the same set of holes. But we succeed in plugging them somewhere else and then use wires to connect them into the circuit. Another tip we got from the fellow is that, before finishing the circuit and checking there are no mistakes such as short circuit, the power should never be connected into the circuit.

Circuit 2: Lamp

Components:

1 * 12-volt power supply: to provide the electrical power
1 * Breadboard: to provide a base for making electronic connections and aid in the prototyping of circuits.
1 * 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor: to store electricity while current is flowing into them, then release the energy when the incoming current is removed.
1 * LM7805 Voltage Regulator: to maintain a constant voltage level
1 * Push-Button Switch: a control mechanism which can be used to interrupt the flow of current through a circuit.
1 * LED: light up when there is electricity flowing in the circuit
1 * 220-ohm Resistor: resists the flow of electricity, and can be used to control the flow of current.
Several Jumper Cables (Hook-up Wires): to connect different components in the circuit

Diagram:

Photos:

Reflections:
With the experience of the first circuit, the second one seems to be much easier. The only problem we met is that we mistakenly connected the wires to the holes that are disconnected to the LED, meaning that the LED is not connected into the circuit at all. But by inspecting by ourselves we spotted the problem and fixed it. Therefore, we finished connecting this circuit rather smoothly with much difficulty, as we have had general experience of how to do so in the first circuit.

Circuit 3: Dimmable Lamp

Components:

1 * 12-volt power supply: to provide the electrical power
1 * Breadboard: to provide a base for making electronic connections and aid in the prototyping of circuits.
1 * 100 nF (0.1uF) Capacitor: to store electricity while current is flowing into them, then release the energy when the incoming current is removed.
1 * LM7805 Voltage Regulator: to maintain a constant voltage level
1 * Push-Button Switch: a control mechanism which can be used to interrupt the flow of current through a circuit.
1 * LED: light up when there is electricity flowing in the circuit
1 * 220-ohm Resistor: resists the flow of electricity, and can be used to control the flow of current.
1 * 10K ohm Variable Resistor (Potentiometer): a resistor with a sliding contact attached to a knob that outputs an adjustable voltage
Several Jumper Cables (Hook-up Wires): to connect different components in the circuit

Diagram:

Photos:

Reflection:
The third circuit is based on the second one. The only change we need to make is to insert a variable resistor into the circuit. The biggest problem we met here is that there was not enough space to do so. But according to our experience in the first circuit, we put the variable resistor in the right side of the breadboard and used wires to connect it into the circuit that mainly locates on the left side of the breadboard.

Question 1:
As far as I can think of, the switch, and the variable resistor both include interactivity. As is mentioned in the article “The Art of Interactive Design”, the interactive process includes input, process, and output. Our action to push the button on the switch or to adjust the resistance to change how light the LED is are the inputs. The circuits then process such inputs, meaning that electricity flow through the circuits built by us. Eventually, we are able to see the output of the process. For example, the buzzer makes sounds and the light of the LED changes. These all show us that the circuit we built is working as we expect them to, which is indeed a sort of interactivity.

Question 2:
From my perspective, interaction design and physical computing should be combined to create something that is controlled by people. The interaction design makes sure that human behaviors and actions are indispensable parts of interactive art. On the other hand, physical computing makes sure that the product is controllable in terms of human instructions or behaviors. That is, the process of physical computing provides interactive art the ability to change or adjust itself according to people’s instructions or behaviors. Only if a product or design contains both the elements, can it be called interactive art.