Whisker from V1 to V4 Meng and Yang

Whisker V1: 

When we first got the topic of whisker, the ideas comes to us are using a straight lines or strings as sensors to do something. Then we developed our whisker project into a paper-based puppet face which has strings as its whiskers. And we pull those whiskers in different ways to deform the paper face, which changes the shadow of it as well. Though the deformation of paper is tiny, the deformation of its shadow is considerable. Also we were interested by the varieties of different expressions a expressionless mask can provide when manipulated by users.

Materials:

• Papper
• String
• Light

Whisker V2:

In the second version of our whisker project, we were limited by the idea of using the laser cutter to do something. Thus we created a black mask which can change its holes by mechanical structure such as level principle and fixed pulley. However, the poor manufacture made it fragile and decrease the interest users want to try it. Also its acrylic appearance makes it very heavy and cumbersome. Therefore we decided to go back with deformation of light material. Liang gave us a great idea to try with silicon. So we did.

Materials:

• Acrylic
• String

Whisker V3:

The third version of whisker project improved our understanding of what deformation can do. We made a silicon face with no expression, however, when pulled, it creates lots of different exaggerated expressions. Very interesting! Then we acquired a lot of advices such as making not only flat faces but also 3D structures; making parts of faces such as eyes and mouses rather than the whole face. When demonstrating this device we found the problem of overheat of solenoid. We tried to fix this problem by decreasing the size and thickness of the face and use smaller solenoid. Also we were give lots of useful advices to show off the electronic parts.

Materials:

• Silicon
• Hard paper
• Arduino
• Distance sensor and Microphone
• Solenoid
• String

Whisker V4:

Here comes our V4 of the whisker project. When developing our project with solenoid, we found that it can not only provide stroke but can also cause some interesting movements in silicon such as shaking. Therefore we made use of this effect and developed the final project to be an Extremely Timid Face.

When some one put their face close to the silicon face, it starts trembling. Then we get closer, it trembling harder and end up with a freeze with a expression of horror. We also decrease the size of the shell to make it stable and simple. Last but not least, we took jake's advice to show off the electronic components by using transparent acrylic materials and also using the sound of solenoid as its sound output. 

We are also trying to make a mask with shell which can be directly manipulated by users. And with projectors, the expression of that mask can be exaggerated and amplified.

Materials:

• Silicon
• Acrylic
• Arduino
• Distance sensor
• Solenoid