Partner: Nate Hecimovich
For this week’s recitation, we got the chance to experiment a bit with a multitude of sensors. Upon looking at the list of sensors we could develop something with, Nate and I immediately decided to base our circuit around the infrared distance sensor. With the assistance of the project cards provided in the Arduino kit, we were quickly able set up the circuit with the infrared sensors, a 220 ohms resistor, and an LED. It was relatively easy to code the infrared sensor to activate the LED upon a specific distance. Yet, Nate and I wanted to make the light brighter when our hands were closer to the sensor and dimmer when our hands were further away. With the help of Katie, we were able to successfully employ the map() function to make this work.
For videos of the assignment, please refer to Nate’s documentation, as I have misplaced the videos.
Questions:
- Nate and I intended to assemble a simple sensor-activated LED. The use that comes to mind is that this could be employed as a part of a security system for anyone to protect their homes/valuables by warning potential burglars. If associated with an alarm, this is realizable.
- I think code is often compared to following a recipe because there a simple procedures and steps you must follow in order to have the desired outcome. Just like if you forget to add a specific spice when cooking, the outcome will not be exactly what was intended, or could be ruined. In the end, coding is a step by step process.
- In my opinion, I believe today the computer massively influences human behavior. Manovich talks about the “footprint” left behind by users. We would classify these as cookies nowadays. With the use of AIs, advertisers are able to target you with specific advertisements that they believe suit you do to the footprints you have left behind. In my opinion, these actions result in humans experiencing a very narrow portion of the internet, that becomes more and more narrow the more they use it. Some people may claim that this is efficient, but I find it very problematic as it can create very narrow-minded people.