Overall, this device works like a detector, a sound maker, a touch sensitive convertor, or (according to Jake) an instrument. The whole installation uses Arduino board and piezo to map audio frequency to users' interaction with the whiskers. The users are engaged in playing with these whiskers to create diverse sounds. So it is a playable and interactive instrument.
The latest version adds audio feedback to the whisker system and redesigns the structure that they are no longer fixed on a base but suspended in the air. In addition, whiskers are mounted toward different directions which somehow makes the entire system dynamic. The audio mapping is brilliant but it will be better if these whiskers have different mappings with sound (like volume...). Compared with previous version, it lacks resonate which may make whisker more interactive and interesting. Although audio feedback is added in new system, the interactions between users and the whiskers stay consistent.
The technology (Arduino, piezo, and speaker) is appropriate for this project. It is very simple, clean and smart. The first version's LED and other proper sensors can be added in this project. Alternatively, more tactile components like touch sensor or vibration sensor can be haptic input and output. As for the design of the shape or the look, it depends on the application and purpose of this installation. For example, whiskers can be earrings which is mobile and delicate, whilst they also can be huge, complicated and static exhibition device standing in the corner of a museum. We recommend that the design of next version should be more fancy and imaginative, may be more mobile or distributed.
Evaluation of our whisker project
We redesign the main body of the project with acrylic laser cutting method. We also add electronic part which enables the whisker to sense the touch via capacitive sensing. With a LED inside a pingpong ball, it lights up diffused blue light when someone touches the whisker, just like the heart of this creature. It lies a foundation for future communication among several devices. We hope to create little creatures that have the ability to communication, exchange information and interact with others.
The first version uses soft wood and springs and other plastic material to build three types of flexible prototypes. The simple and light configuration encourages users to touch it, move it, and interact with it, even though they do not have the digital feedback as that in the second version. The fixed and static shape and structure keeps users from playing with the whisker. On the other hand, the whisker cannot rotate as it performs in the first version, and this makes it less functional. In the future development, we should step back to empower more flexible attributes to the creature and make something more imaginative and interactive. Since the major task of the whisker we create is to establish communication and connection with multiple whiskers, we should keep both natural and simple design and various digital outputs. With the characteristics of materials and physical construction, we believe the design itself will offer a lot of affordances for users and other whiskers.
Based on the communication between multiple whiskers, it has a wide applications in the future. One example is to educate kids some simple concepts, like transitivity and combination. It is also a good kit for young children to explore the culture of communication through playing with these whiskers. In conclusion, it has a positive impact on children's recognition development and constructivism learning.
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