More Updates & Electronics

Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17-Pvo66K8ttybAE1qZW7n7R4OzupP-roymF4opGizro/edit?usp=sharing

Updates

I would really like to thank Galina for helping me with the sleeves, collars, and the fitting! Also… IT HAZ POCKETS NOW!!! The pockets are really useless for my concept but having them makes the garment looks really whole and useable after the show, AND I LOVE IT! THANK YOU MOTHER GALINA :’))) Without you my garment will be just a floppy beige thing that’ll be thrown to a corner after the show…

Anw, so here are images of the growth of my garment…

It starts from me working on my “final” on my own and….. turns out many things I’m doing is wrong.

Although I got some parts correct, the overall look is quite shabby. I’m ok with it, but turns out it can be much much better.

I went to buy more fabric as I ran out, but then I saw a nicer fabric and it costs $8/m at Gim Joo. I thought I can redo it and do better so I Bought 3m. Came back to school to cut. Lucky Galina spotted that I was cutting it in the wrong direction (not along the grain) so she flipped it for me. After cutting, I went to sew the back and front pieces together, then Galina started teaching everyone on how to work on the sleeves.

I then worked on the other sleeve of the shirt (note: this image may not be the sleeves part cos I didnt document the process :’) )

After finishing the sleeves, the garment looks like this:

So afterwards we worked on the lapels, then the collar. Again, not well documented process, but heres an image of Galina ironing the collar!

nice!

To finish the collar, I have to handstitch the collar and facing so it will be nice and invisible. Galina showed me how to do it and I brought it back to hall to finish it.

Here’s some photos of me looking at the mirror after sewing!

After being happy about the collar, I sew the pants and wore the pieces together:

I m the star in mario games — i forgot who said it

Galina helped me with the fitting afterwards to make sure that I can bend my body with it.

Can’t really see much here, but the fitting is better. The sides are tucked in cos they’re cut and restitched, while the front and back are slack to allow bending

Then, we begin with the pockets. There’s nothing much to see cos I didnt document this also :’)

Now, I’m just left with the zipper and buttons and then I’ll refine the sleeve ends and pants ends and I think I’m done with the garment. Then… the tech part. Which I’m working on right now.

Concept

Ok you see, although my concept have always been revolving around the futuristic cyberpunkish desert, I haven’t really gotten the hang of the exact things I want. So today I clarified it. I also tuned it to fit what I can do and what’s best for a wearable, while also noting that this is a 13 week school project.

Previously, I had an illuminator, respirator, a cape, and sensors on arm that are like armour. Now, I want to make use of the belt and tone down on the components on the garment itself, so I can still impact viewers with the show, make it easy for me, and also stick to the theme.

  • The illuminator now lights up all the time.
  • The temperature and pollution sensors now uses IoT so I dont need actual sensors anymore
  • The mask is the only part that has a motor. This is because motor costs a lot of electricity and very bulky to wear on
  • The belt will now be a piece of armour, and it conceals the utility items (knife, bottle, device)

Code & Electronics

I was playing with OpenWeatherMap API, after Naga recommended it to me. I tried many codes but it doesn’t work and was going to give up. But yesterday, I consulted Zi Feng and we figured out a bit of the code, and I think it was like those kind of moment where you dont look at code for a while and come back and you realised how things work… Yeah… So it worked for me.

So basically, I used the api with the api key and I ran it in arduino and the code will generate the information and pluck out what’s relevant (temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc)

http://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather?q=singapore,sg&appid=[insertAPIkeyhere]

Then I switched to this other API called Air Visual which has much more information (including pollution)

http://api.airvisual.com/v2/nearest_city?lat=1.3521&lon=103.8198&key=[insertAPIkeyhere]

So after figuring out how API works, I’m able to draw relevant information directly from the website to my NodeMCU wifi module. This means that I don’t even need an external program (eg. Python) to feed my program.

Here it’s taking temperature and humidity

So I’ve decided to use this instead of components so I can lessen the wires and energy. I worked long enough with wifi to have enough faith with it i guess…

So I tried using the data to control servos and LEDs, it worked. But after a while I think the servos burnt out (SORRY ZIFENG I WILL Buy BACK FOR U :((( ) so I needed to plan properly for the power and components.

Photo documentation of code:

Circuit

Prototype main component with servo and LED
Prototype arm component with LED

Electronics Logistics:

  • 3x NodeMCU (ESP8266 wifi modules)
    • Main controller
    • Temperature arm armour
    • Pollution arm armour
    • IF POSSIBLE: 1 more for Device controller
  • 4x 3.7V Lipo batteries (or higher but not more than 5V) 
    • Main NodeMCU + main LED
    • Mask servo motor
    • Temperature arm armour NodeMCU + temperature LED
    • Pollution arm armour NodeMCU + pollution LED
    • IF POSSIBLE: 1 more for Device controller
  • 4x LED strips
    • Main LED (10 bulbs)
    • Shoulders LED (50 bulbs)
    • Temperature LED (20 bulbs)
    • Pollution LED (20 bulbs)
    • IF POSSIBLE: a few bulbs for Device controller
  • 1x servo motor
    • Mask servo
    • IF NEED: another one for mask servo to make it more reliable. (if that’s so, need add 1 more Lipo)

What’s next?

After today’s breakthrough, I’m gonna start getting the necessary stuffs

  • Code for individual electronics
  • Buy whatever’s left that I need
  • Work on final armour pieces
  • Put electronic together
  • Refine garment
  • Test test test! and also charge my batteries.

So for today’s presentation, I’ll show my progress with electronics and my plans.

Concept writeup, Sketches, Etc.

Design concept write up

In the future, global warming desertified most lands on Earth. Humans continue to survive in overheated cities that are covered in dust. Humans wear fully-covered suits to adapt to the dusty and hot environment, while using wearable technology to help them detect and react to the changes in environment.

[INSERT COOL NAME HERE] is a jumpsuit that uses modular pieces of wearable technology to adapted to the hot and dusty environment.

The jumpsuit offers a decent protection through the light, breathable fabric and have enlarged sleeves that allow air in. Environment sensors (Envirosensor) are worn on the arm to track the temperature and pollution levels around the user. Other wearable parts will read the sensors’ data and react according to the changes in the environment. This offers the user a functional and stylish way of navigating through this dystopian world.

Design sketch /draft (Rough)

One of my first few sketches
further development
further development + styling
vectorising so I can create the shapes better
turns out to be super ugly so I reverted back to paper
new look with scarf and new design for envirosensor. Note: The colouring is just for me to visualise the separate parts and is not the actual colour of the garment.

This was when my design was starting to take shape. With some more sketches come these:

Did some sketches of body proportions and photocopied many pieces to start mass sketching.

An even earlier sketch, wayyyyy before I changed the form into something less cyberpunk.

One of the few who can survive making it here on OSS HAHAHA its ugly.

After a few rounds of sketches, I came up with this design. Brown main colour, nylon translucent on the areas that will be attached with tech. But I didn’t really like it still.

Colour testing after visiting Chinatown’s fabric shops and discovering some sick materials. I think I’ll visit again as I still don’t like the colours here. This point was also me discovering a new form which includes the ‘winged’ look. Just some extra flabs on the sleeves on the arms and legs. I liked it. Looks futuristic, functional, and isn’t too weird or flashy.

Added some parts to the coloured piece. Still don’t like the form.

One proper drawing of the new design where I smoothed out the flabs so it looks less popping out.

Another sketch to show the different parts. Again, you can see the Illuminator is erased. Here is also where I discovered a new form for the Envirosensors. I didn’t like the puffy parts of the old sensors cos it looked out of place. I basically just took 2 different designs and mashed them together. I took a step back and just use one of the reference instead and got this. On the right side you acn also see me trying to separate both sensors to different forms so they are more intuitive to know. (the wavy striped one is for temperature, while the coral-like one with holes is for pollutant)

Was kinda trying out sketching the new parts, adding colour to just make them come out a bit more. Still don’t like the Illuminators.

Then I went to Jurong Point for my dental appointment….

This magic happened:

My brain just worked. I drew a new figure. Then for the tech, I simplified the whole Illuminator to just perform its original function: To just light up. The envirosensors have a more defined form and looks like something I can make since I can visualise it. I added a cape (which was an idea I kept thinking about) and a hoodie to complete the look. (Thanks to Jannah for suggesting hoodie!)

So far that’s what I have for sketches. I’ll update with more sketches on the tech and more views and colours for the garment. Hopefully I’ll do what I say I’ll do………

How your design is interacting?

  1. Interaction with data: The data from the sensor changes the LED colours, as well as send signals to the other parts to react according to set data
  2. Interaction with user: The mask uses a pressure sensor to fit itself snug onto the user without pushing onto the user too much.
  3. Interaction between parts: From the data, the parts react accordingly.

ELECTRONICS NEEDED:

  • Arduino nano / lilypad x
  • Temperature sensor x1 (optional)
  • Pollution sensor x1 (optional)
  • Humidity sensor x1 (optional)
  • Light sensor x1 (optional)
  • LED strip m
  • conductive thread (many)
  • servo motors x4 or 6
  • buttons x (for simulations)
  • battery packs (9v) x
  • Pressure sensor x1

I’ll work out the individual electronics uses next post.

 


 

Focuses on next few posts:

  1. Tech: All the different parts, sketches, the actual tech I’m gonna use, and choice + purchase + etc., prototypes (maybe)
  2. Material: All the different material choices, colours, links for purchase (or documentations of the locations),
  3. Prototypes: drafting paper to muslin to actual materials. Body measurements. Testing and testing…

Material Research, Updates to concept & Moodboard

I’ve read up on materials to wear on hot and dry weather, which is like the desert. Cotton, Linen and Rayon works well for my concept. Polyester is also a possible choice (conceptually) as it is breathable, although not recommended for “summer weather”.

Looking into nomad dressing, I was also curious why they wear layers and layers of fabric. Turns out, they do this to prevent water-loss. They use light fabric like cotton, that are lighter in colour so as to reflect the sun rays. The layers help them to keep moisture to their body, slowing down the rate of evaporation. Also, covering the body as much as they can helps a lot in keeping cool.


For concept…

I need to type to think, so let me just write freely about my ideas.

New narrative to justify my new style:

In the future, with desertification, cities and citizens adapt. Citizens now dress to protect themselves from the elements while in the city. This makes it necessary for them to have lighting on themselves to self-express and to also allow themselves to be seen. Reflective and holographic clothings makes people stand out more. The need for sensors to help them sense their environment is important as they have to take shelter if it gets too hot or too dusty. There is a need to collect water from the dry air, so some have adaptations that collects moisture from the air as they move. ( https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/could-desert-beetle-help-humans-harvest-water-thin-air )

I need to start sketching now cos I keep changing my idea. But at least I’m happy that I’m moving away from the clunky sci-fi ripoff I’ve been doing. I’m so glad that we did the biomimicry exercise!

So here’s my moodboard, again. Updated. Finalised. I’m not gonna update anymore or else I’ll be super stuck.

Jumpsuit — The idea is to have a full-body cover that can protect one from the elements. It has to be light and airy. I’ll wire it up with conductive thread to connect the different pieces together. I’m also making it greyscale so I can focus on the material rather than the colours.

The reason why I want to create different pieces is because I always thought about the feasibility with wearable electronics. If I can’t wash my clothes, then what’s the point of wearing them? Also, I want to keep this jumpsuit after the mod so I can use it hehehehehe so yep.

The respirator will be an organic armour-like piece made with plastic-like material (probably). The reason for plastic is for it to be clean as it’s attached to a mask.

The envirosensor wasn’t much looked into previously as I thought it was going to be just an armguard thing. But I’m very inspired by the Warframe character armour on the left and thought about beetles (and also Golden Experience from JoJo :P). I kept looking and though that it will go well with the airbag looking thing, which I plan on using for the interface.

The illuminator will now be more organic and flowy. Kinda origami-like also. I want to make it blend well with the garment, not stand out too much. It should look like it’s part of the garment.

The armour is a last-minute add-on, which I think I won’t have time to do, but Ill still put it here. It’s basically a geometric, plated outer covering for the jumpsuit. Was thinking the tech for this will be for temperature : if it’s too warm, it will open up. But it’s too much to handle for me so I’ll probably not touch it.

I was previously confused with this. I wanted my garment to have holographic-like properties, but I don’t know how to apply them. After looking at beetles, I realised their wings look like this material. So I think I will have this material as a cape. I will also try to apply this biomimicry x tech idea where you can add bumps to the surface of a hydrophobic material, and then coat the tip with a hydrophilic material to make it able to collect dew from fog. This works for my desert concept as people need water.

OKAY. So for now, enough with research. I have enough materials to justify my project, and I need to spend more time moving forward. Tomorrow and the next few days, I’ll go out to look at materials and prototype. I’ll also sketch more throughout the days.

AH UPDATE: ACTUALLY MAY NEED TO THINK ABOUT HAT AND EYEWEAR BUT SEE HOW……… :’)

Sources:

Beetles:

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/10/environmental-engineering-biomimicry-tapping-into-nature-business-water-soil-drought

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/could-desert-beetle-help-humans-harvest-water-thin-air

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160224150731.htm

https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_beetles.php

https://permaculturenews.org/2017/02/28/harvesting-water-inspired-darkling-beetle/

Collecting fog:

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/18/africa/fog-catchers-morocco/index.html

https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/8/17441496/fog-harvesting-water-scarcity-environment-crisis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_collection

Desertwear:

Desert Travel and Survival

Clothings:

https://www.mariefranceasia.com/health/healthy-practices/wellbeing-tips/6-cooling-fabrics-hot-days-248941.html#item=1

Breathable Fabrics to Wear in Hot Weather

 

 

Body Storming

Group: Bryan, Fizah

A recap on our concept:

  • Wings that expresses itself through LED lights, motor movements, and sound
  • Heart rate detector on gloves that changes the LED light
  • Movement and interaction with other people will make heart rate change, altering the LED outcomes
  • Ultimately, interlocking fingers will cause the a different set of reactions on the wings

Last week, we spent 25mins building a quick prototype using tapes, wires, paper, and some random materials lying around. With the limited time we have, we only could make 1 set of wings for 1 person, where we initially wanted to have 2 interacting people.

We had Syahrul as our tester. Here is our instructions:

Here is the video of what happened:

So Syahrul was hesitant to wear the prototype due to how fragile it looks. When he do so, he started interacting based on the feedback he is receiving from the beeping and the shaking of the wings, despite there being lights too. This proves that wings are not the greatest idea as the tester could not see its effects.

We also found that Syahrul was interacting with other non-participants and objects around him. This problem could have been solved if we made another set of wings and gloves for him to interact with. Interestingly, he only interacted with people with the hand that had the gloves on.

Other concerns are related to the safety of the artwork and people around, where wearable artworks can easily be taken home by accident or damaged by wearing.

Here are the feedbacks from the notes taker:

What did we learn:

We missed out the effect of external factors that could impact the actions of the participant. During the Body Storming exercise, Syahrul started interacting with other objects in the surrounding.

What we need to ensure for our final project is that the audience should be able to identify what they should be interacting with.

What surprised us:

  • It became natural for Syahrul to only interact with his his surroundings using his gloved hands.
  • Syahrul also expected instant feedback from his actions through constantly tapping his gloved hands. He also tried every possible interactions he could do on his surroundings

How we can apply to designing our installation:

We learnt that wings are not very effective as the participants cannot see the effects. We can use a cloak or blanket instead. We need to make 2 wearable pieces for 2 people to interact with each other, if not they will interact with others. We have to make the 2 of them interact with each other and only with each other.