Memory Shells - Final Description

Short Description

Memory shells is an exploration of how we distort our memory of previous events and the value of this distortion in creating a narrative. The audience listens to audio of memorable and nostalgic events taken from pop culture, news and speeches. The audio is slowly modified by their facial expressions to create a narrative that attempts to approximate collective memory. These expressions model the personal biases that are introduced when sharing a memory.

Tech Description 

The system consists of of a central box and a ‘seashell’. A Raspberry Pi connected to a webcam tracks the user’s face and sends frames to a local server (MJPGStreamer). The server determines the facial expression of the user with openFrameworks and determines a set of probability values to select the next track. To include the ‘emotional bias’ of the user in the track, the volume of the track changes and noise is added using SoX. The server uses Websockets to send a command back to the rPi to play the next segment with the added modifications.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dale Clifford and Zack Jacobson-Weaver for their feedback and guidance, and Marc Farra, Liang He and Meng Shi for their support and technical help.

Final Project Presentation - Maya

Squeaky Whisker v4

Overview

We took apart a printer and used its parts for materials to build an interactive whisker prototype. We found an unexpected surprise in the gears which create different sounds based on the materials applied to them.

Initially, users played with a spring to close a simple circuit which would turn the gears. They would place different materials along them to create different sounds which each seemed to take on a personality.

Our second iteration explored the look of the machine. We laser cut a cat-like mask out  of black acrylic  to "dress up" our little robot. Based on feedback we realized that leaving the raw parts exposed created a more honest and deliberate character.

Later we experimented with a different kind of input and ended up attaching a photo-resistor which spins the gears in proportion to the  amount of light in the environment, making it seem like the machine is scared of the dark.

Materials

• Photo-resistor
• Arduino Uno
• Motor
• 9V alkaline battery
• 12V sealed lead-acid battery
• Hacked printer parts
• Foam base
• Electronic components (breadboard, resistors, mosfet, wires, etc)

Looking Out : Maya

DRM Chair

By - ECAL

DRM Chair is a chair that self-destructs after 8 uses. Sensors connected to the chair are able to detect every time someone sits on a chair.  The different joints of the chair are cast in wax and embedded with nichrome wire. After the 8th use, the joints are melted and the chair falls apart.

What I especially liked about this project is it illustrates the idea that an object is ephemeral and temporary. The object is no longer static, it has a controlled lifespan. It would be interested to actually visualize how objects evolve with use.  I also like that they chose to melt the joints, the fume coming out and wax melting is a very organic process, so the chair really does feel like its alive.

Ocean of Light

By - Squidsoup

Ocean of light is a digital controllable immersive medium where the space is filled with a grid of LEDs. Each LED module can be controlled to create amazing visual experiences. As people walk through the grid, the impression created is that of being immersed within an ocean. 

I love this project because it transports you to a different space. I like that they used the space as a physical medium; many times space is neglected and immersive experiences are simply projected onto a plane. I really think this project has more potential if user input is added. For instance, touching one LED could create ripples of light in the grid. Maybe people could interact by creating ripples that would intersect at some point.

http://www.creativeapplications.net/environment/shedding-light-on-squidsoup-a-conversation-with-anthony-rowe/

Whisker Evaluation

Evaluation of our whisker

Our whisker is constructed from a hacked printer's material. Our original design used a haptic input and audio output. We experimented with placing different material (cardboard, metal, acrylic) along the gears to create different audio sounds. The audience was engaged in the design, not only did the audience have to touch spring to generate a sound, they could also change the whole design and personality of the design by changing the material.

In our second iteration, we wanted to give our whisker more personality. We took a more obvious approach by adding laser cut ears and a mask to the whisker, which created a visual resemblance to a cat. The new design was no longer interactive or engaging.  We tried hard to create a visual resemblance to a cat, and in that process we neglected the actual material of our whisker. We did not make use of the gears, metal or spring. Instead we covered the material with a mask. This more obvious resemblance was also less appealing because it left little room for imagination. A positive change we made was removing the metal rods. 

In our third iteration, we removed the mask and focused on the actual material. We focused on the theme of gears and rotation by adding wheels to the whisker, which also act as a stand.

The newer design still lacks a narrative. However, the original design is interesting because we were able to construct a module that takes touch input and generates audio output using very cheap and primitive material. It's reusable because changing the material pressed against the gear changes the sound the whisker makes. Some material create high pitched, squeaky sounds, they can be used as warning signs. Each sound can be used to communicate or evoke emotions in the user. Some material create a heavy sound that could resemble an evil laugh. Others create high pitched sounds. Each change the persona of the whisker and can evoke an emotion in the user. The whisker can be used as constructive material that enables objects to communicate emotion or creates a persona for the object.

Whisker v3 - Andre, Maya, Gaby

The third phase of our project brings more attention to the mechanical face of our little "robot." We have taken away the mask and are thinking instead we will work with the current personality of the materials such as the metal and the gears. The new wheels are a means of mounting it and in addition, we are trying out a rubber band as a means of connecting the gears so that we can work on adding back the original sound interactivity from the first model.

Whisker v2 - Andre, Maya, Gaby

In our second iteration of the whisker, we tried to minimize the form by removing what we thought were extraneous components. At the core of this whisker was the springy switch, the movement of the motor, and the sound that it emits when applying materials to the gears. We also wanted to experiment with our newfound fabrication capabilities with the laser-cutter and the different materials. We removed the long metal rods that protruded out from the whisker and added several laser cut pieces of acrylic to give it a bit of personality, make it look more friendly and approachable.