Final project assignment

mail@alexposada.net — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:05:44 +0000

Create a physically interactive system of your choice.

Please, document your work thoroughly online as you go. Include details of all phases of the project. So teachers can see your progress and evaluate your work better. Include a project summary as well, explaining what the system you built is, what it does, and what purpose it’s intended to serve. Your summary should introduce the project.

You may work alone or in groups.

A few examples:

Musical Instruments.

Performing music involves a sustained engagement between the performer and the instrument. The feedback from the instrument has to be immediate and clear in order for the performer to continue playing. The interface has to be flexible so that the musician can exercise her creativity in playing.

Physical interfaces for gaming.

Like musical instruments, they involve constant back-and-forth interaction and immediate response.

Try to program a simple game in your computer using P5 controlled by your interface. Another idea: The game can be a physical game!

Remote control systems.

They require not only a clear interface, but must also return enough information on the remote system’s action to let you know that you’re doing the right thing. Whether it’s a remote controller for your home electrical devices or a Mars rover controller, the need for clarity and good feedback are equally essential to the person who it’s made for.

Hacking toys or games.

Find a new use to an existing toy. Expand the possibilities of a game known by all. Create new toys from existing ones. Again, very clear interaction strategy and easy to understand the behavior of the application.

Final schedule:

Concept presentations and questions 5 dic
Final plan presentations 13 dic
Project working demonstrations 19 dic

Midterm project

mail@alexposada.net — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:35:12 +0000

Please read the following info related to the Midterm project

- This is a GROUP assignment, you have to work in groups or two. Groups will be arranged in class this week. If you want, you can work individually too.
- You have to design and make a creative application using minimum one sensor, one actuator and some of process to generate interesting application. No computers. Only with electronics.
- Think about hacking toys, modified devices, digital fabrication, musical instruments, crazy machines, etc…
- Try to design something efficient and environmentally friendly and energy efficient if possible.
- For this thursday 15 Nov, come up with a concept for your group’s project. Provide a one page description about your idea. Use the blog to write the concepts and your crazy ideas, please send me by email you comments to resolve your doubts.

Please, follow this recommendations:

• For this first project, you will use LEDs, buttons, light sensors, servomotors, dials, etc… with the BreadBoard , as well as other materials such as plastic, wood, cloth, cardboard, stone, etc., to create an object that acts and/or reacts to changes in its environment, in a way that expresses lifelike characteristics. Strive toward “elegance” in your design, using “just enough” materials and components effectively and appropriately to articulate your idea.

• In your proposal, please include the “pseudocode” for programming the piece (pseudocode is not actual code, but is “plain English” that describes in detail what you want your code to do. For example:

– Take input from light sensor.
– If the reading from the light sensor is below a certain level, turn on first red LED.
– If the reading from the light sensor is at a medium level, turn off red LED and turn on six yellow LEDs.
– If the reading from the light sensor is at or above a certain higher level, turn off red and yellow LEDs and turn on 16 green LEDs
– Etc.

• Enjoy it!

If you dont have an idea for the project I CAN PROPOSE you some exercises to do and you have to present your results in the same way!!!

Physical computing » mail@alexposada.net

Final project assignment

Midterm project