Week 5 Tutorial & Presentations

Well today was the day. We produced our product after some difficulty regarding the programming and use of hardware with the Arduino board. And although we were not able to demonstrate in class our full intention of the water being shot from a pump, we were able to demonstrate the intended concept of the product and show the system breakdown using the proximity sensors and a spinning pencil.

Amazing. That's really the only word I can think of first off to express what was seen today in class. Some of the concepts were unreal, highly practical, entertaining, and definitely potentially applicable in the near future should the world see it fit.

Going around the classroom and experiencing the other groups concepts, seeing their intended context, and then seeing what they produced was inspiring, there were some awesome results. Especially when you consider all this work and result is the result of 2 weeks work essentially. It really reinforces the power, possibilities and potential the Arduino has, especially when it comes to prototyping. I mean, it really did its intended job - as expressed of the three designers, Massimo Banzi, that it was just intended to speed up prototyping with products for designers, and it certainly does that. 

Below I've posted a number of images and videos showing some of my favoured concepts from today. In no particular order. Apologies if your concept did not feature - do not take it personal as I have not intended any insult. These are just merely the ones I would interact with the most or found their context/concept intriguing. 

This design shows a product intended for the tempering of chocolate; a very delicate process. It reads the temperature at 3 different degrees, 42, 29, 33 (if my memory serves correctly), each time warning the user so they are able to follow the appropriate steps.

This concept was intended for group work amongst designers. Must like a 'speaking stick' it allows the user to express their idea in under 30 seconds, in a form of brainstorming. It vibrates and blinks to indicate when time is running out.

This image shows what was an Advertising concept. The flashing LEDs got more frequent in presence and intensity when more people were around the board - allowing businesses to advertised at opportune times and in an attention grabbing way.

This concept was for a childs sleeping cot, it would hang above the bed, and start to play music and move when the child was active, as the child fell asleep, the motion slowed and volume decreased.

This concept turned waiting for the lights to change (for pedestrians) into a game. The individual hit the cushion to speed up the change of lights, competing with the other points of the road.

Below is a number of videos taken while walking around the class; demonstrating some of the products discussed below the images, and others not pictured.

This particular video shows an example of the last images shown Above.

 

This next video, like the one above, uses the concept of turning something into a game to create interaction; more specifically this particular concept surrounds Trolleys and returning them to the appropriate area after use. The sensors detect when a trolley has been returned and in relation to the receiver works out accuracy, posting a score above the area on a designated board.

Unfortunately the video orientation is incorrect, so to view, you might want to do a few neck exercises to limber up. Apologies.

This next video demonstrates another product that uses proximity sensors for Sound technicians so they are aware when someone enters the room. A light flashes a warning, as well as a Fan on their monitors also starts spinning to indicate someone present

This final video shows our design. With the proximity sensor wired up to a spinning motor it simulates what the water pump would do in the same situation. As the hand is drawn upwards, the speed increased (jet of water shooting upwards). Due to the Arduino board not actually being able to function with a water pump like in our given scenario we compensated with this demonstration in the hope people would get the intention behind our design.

(again, apologies for the orientation of the video - but hopefully the neck limbering up you did earlier is still in effect to view this video)

Below are some images showing the process of working with the Arduino board

Shows the Arduino board hooked up the the laptop and working

Shows the Arduino board working with an attached fan - testing various components worked.

All in all I'm happy with the end result of today, I feel our misunderstanding of the CRA sheet when talking about 'Mock ups' may have produced some unnecessary stress, but that's life. Joey, Steve and Hannah are great group members to work with. And I'm very greatful for all the individual effort put into this project, and I will acknowledge that Joey and Steve deserve extra credit for their work with the Arduino board. Thanks guys <3.

So in summary, given more power to work with and extra circuits to attach to the Arduino board, our concept is very doable - and to be honest, if it was done, it would be freaking awesome. :D

Thanks everyone,
Charlie