Interactive Device-Final Project_The Shocking Glove

For the final project, I was planning to do a device that would elicit shock to the wearer of the device. In this post, I would describe the process of the Shocking Gloves and the changes that I have made to it, the difficulties that I faced and finally the final device that would be showcased to the public.

In the beginning of the project, I was planning a device that would only elicit shock after the wearer loses in a game. However, I quickly dismissed the plan because I felt that it was too bland for this project. So I changed the idea to a device where the wearer would get shocked if he/she speak too loudly.

One of the challenges was to find the module that would elicit shock to a human body. After browsing the internet and consulting my professor, I have chanced upon the muscle stimulation pad that people would normally be used during electrical muscle stimulation therapy. I would replace the device that the muscle stimulation pads would connect to with Arduino, providing the required electric current to power the stimulation pad. The plan was foiled as cutting open the stimulation pad to find out that there was not any wire that could be connected to the Arduino. Thus, I was back to square one again, trying to find a replacement for the shock module. Looking through a catalog of items, I found another replacement.

 

The “Harmless Mild Electric Shock Toys” were a “device” that would be used to play a prank on people. I have figured out that I could take out the component that exists within the toys itself and integrate it into my project. 

Next, I have to find a module that would determine the loudness of one’s voice. If the sound went over the threshold that I have set up, it would register an input. Once the input reaches 5, a shock would elicit to the wearer, giving them a reminder that they were talking too loudly. After all the required items were purchased, it was just a matter of connecting all the part to Arduino and code it.

One unforeseen problem was the gloves that the wearer would wear. I have not considered that it would be worn by different people. Therefore it was not a hygienic practice to use a cotton glove, where sweat and other bacteria could be easily absorbed into seams. The solution for the problem would be to provide a hand sanitizer gel for the wearer before and after use.

In conclusion, I did face quite a few problems and challenges along the way. However, I did learn a few good lesson about shocking and muscle stimulation pad.

 

Final Project idea #1

 

For my final project, I wanted to do make a simple number game where a group of player interacts with the device to change the number. I had sketched up how the product was going to look like and how it would likely function. I was inspired by the example Daito Manabe when it was first shown to me. I wanted to work with electric shock and this was one of my ideas.

Component – Arduino, Laptop, Monitor Screen, Electric shock pad, Buttons, Controller.

Rules for the Game

This would be a turn-based game that requires a group of 2-4 people in order for the game to work. A random number(number A) would be generated at the beginning of the game, from 1- 40. Number A would be hidden from all players. At the same time, another number(number B) would be shown to all players, the value of Number B is 0. For each turn, a player can get to press the button that was issued to them, up to 5 times, then rotate clockwise to the second player, so on and so forth. Each button press would add 1 value to number B. If number A and number B line up, a shock would be dispensed to the player that last press the button.

 

 

Device of the Week #4 – ProPILOT Chair

ProPILOT Chair is a chair with weight sensor and motor install into it, making it part of the mechanics on how it would work. The primary function of ProPILOT Chair was to allowed people to stay seated while the chair rearranged the queue, eliminating any people with the intention of cutting the queue. The invention also made it easier for people to proceed on their business(scrolling through their phone), while the chair moved by itself to the front .

Component – Chair, Weight Sensor, Motor, Software, Sensor for dictate where the chair move

The device could have great use if the person is disabled. The technology could be considered a double edge sword that could spoil the public. However, this device could be a good way to manage crowds and the waiter could tell if there is a queue outside of their establishment. It is also better for elderlies or children as they might not have the strength to keep on standing for long periods of time.

 

 

Device of the Week #3 – Palette Gear

Palette Gear is a device that would normally accompany a software such as Photoshop or Illustrator. The modular design of Palette Gear allows the user to customize their very own workspace that suits their needs and habit. Each and every cube is connected using magnets and either ‘male’ or ‘female’ connectors on its side, only the ‘male’ is able to connect to the ‘female’. The cube with the screen act as the ‘base’ as it serves as a port for all other cubes to get their power.

Component – Sliders, Knobs, Buttons, Resistor, Female and male connectors, magnet, USB cable

Palette Gear is a product that benefits professional that was in the design industry. It allowed a more efficient workflow and workspace that could integrate the habit of the professional with the software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

The product was complex to make. Knobs, sliders, and button would give input and create a shortcut for the users. However, the software or driver would be extremely complex to mimic as it allows the user to customise and change the layout of the Palette Gear. I believed that such product should be seen more often in the future as it would further enhance our working habits.

Device of the Week #2 – Nike Mag

Nike Mag or Nike Air Mag is a product by Nike, promoting Michael J. Fox Foundation and help find the cure for Parkinson disease. It is a self-tying shoe that would activate when a button is pressed. It resolves the problem and complexity of tying a shoe and the wearer do not have to worry about the shoelace untying itself during an activity.

Component -Shoe, Button, Motor, LED Light

It was inspired by the movie “Back to the Future” and it showed the futuristic vision of the product in our future. It was a simple idea that was executed well and had a functional use for people with a disadvantage.

One could imagine the mechanics of the self-tying shoe. When button number 1 is pressed, it would register an input and change the variables from the value of 0 to 1, and the motor will start turning clockwise, tying the shoe in the process. When button number 2 is pressed, it would register an input as well, but change the variables from 1 to 2, and the motor will start to turn anti-clockwise, untying the shoe. When no button is pressed, no input would be registered and the values of the variables would go back to 0, putting the devices in a neutral mode.

In conclusion, I really like how simplistic and functional a device can get.

 

Human + Exhibition Reflection

The Human + Exhibition explores the idea of enhancing human capability in a form of an augmented limbs. I find that the exhibition was a mind-boggling journey through all the ideas and artwork.

One of the weirdest augmented limbs that I find quite disturbing was the Sonochromatic Head by Neil Harbisson. The function of the tube at the top of the head act as a sensor that allows the user to listen to colors. The tube was surgically placed into parts of the brain that would allow such enhancement to happen. At first sight, I felt that it was a weird idea to be putting a “limb” on one’s head, but after hearing that Neil Harbisson was born with achromatopsia, rendering him unable to see color at all, it started to make senses. Each time a color come in front of the sensor, it would make a pitch, and the user could learn to recognize the pitch to identify the color. Neil was able to find joy in everyday lives through his “third eye”.

Augmented limbs such as Neil Harbisso’s Sonochromatic Head serves as a perfect example of how technology was able to help people with disadvantage and even function better than a normal human being. Neil Harbisso was able to detect infra-red and ultraviolet rays that would be potentially potent to humans. I believed that Human + had shown the possible utopia of mankind that human enhancement(cyborg)  would be the betterment of humanity. However, there would always be another side to the story.

The Optimization of Parenthood by Addie Wagenknecht was a chilling artwork that showed the other side to technology. A robot arm would start to rock the cradle once a cry was registered. It might seem like a good idea that would help parents to parent their child. However, on a closer look, it might not be as ideal as it seems to be. Having a robot arm as the nanny would remove all kinds of human interaction and replace it with algorithm and sensors. It would be a pity to miss all the moments with the parent’s child, having all such interaction to be replaced by an automatic system.

In conclusion, technology and human enhancement is the tool that could allow us to have a more comfortable future. However, abuse of such tools could have repercussion on our future generations and the responsibility falls on us to use it carefully.

A fun fact, a cyborg is defined

by a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device.

By that definition, a regular person wearing glasses or a handicapped sitting on a wheelchair were both also considered a cyborg. So the future of humans and cyborg living side by side were already happening in today’s society. The visions and ideas exhibited in Human + might not be so far-fetch after all.

Device of the Week #1 – Theremin

Theremin is a musical instrument that was created in 1928 by a Russian inventor Leon Theremin. It is played without touching any of the components and the device was able to determine the pitch and volume of the sound by calculating the distance between your hand and the two antennas. The vertical antenna changes the pitch while the horizontal antenna changes the volume of the sound. It was an unusual and strange instrument that was unknown to the majority of the public.

Component – Infrared Obstacle Avoidance Sensor, Sound module

Theremin had a simple idea of creating sound by judging the distance of your hand, stripping away all the complex gesture in order for a person to play a musical instrument, removing all the agility that was required from the player. It provides an easy control that allows even people with disability to play music.