Category: Interactive Devices

FLUTATIOUS

This project was one hell of a ride. Many firsts. Having to manage my time with studies while doing an internship was really a challenge. Nonetheless, this is definitely one of my favourite class of 2 and half years. I chose Interactive Media to learn about mechanics and interactivity, be it organic or the use of digital scripts.

 

Ideation.

I decided that form and mechanics was more important in creating a physical and interactive device. The study of how things work and the organic nature of an interactive physical product allows for a more intuitive and relatable user experience. I wanted to explore the process of making a product instead of coding out something. I felt it was more important that I explore a physical interactive device before I incorporate digital technology into my devices. And I am glad I did.

THE FLUTE.

 

I decided to take something ordinary that no one has tried to redesign and give it a refreshed take. Based of the 4-hole Native American Flute, I wanted to redesign the flute such that it will produce a refreshed sound through modifications to the internal structure of it.

This was where I took reference from for the modelling of my flute.

Modelling

For the first time, I was introduced to 3D modelling. I intended to do a rapid prototyping for the flute and the best tool for this given the short span of time available was Tinkercad. It was a stripped down version of autocad and you create shapes based on existing shapes (triangle, rectangular boxes etc.) Even then, it wasn’t easy especially for someone new to this. You have to take into consideration how every part fits and works together, printing issues and the measurements.

This was the first prototype model I designed. 

At this point, I wasn’t sure if this would work and the interactivity is actually very limiting. I’ve changed the mouth-piece of the flute to make it sound like a recorder, while keeping the body similar to a recorder/flute.

Still, I wasn’t at all pleased with it. So I continued to research on 3D printing and making of flutes. These are the other videos that I took references from,

Keys to a good flute.

AIRFLOW.

I realised that a smooth inner surface and the correct incision of the air hole and sound hole helped with achieving the sound we want. There should not be any frays as it will disrupt airflow, affecting the sound made by the flute.

Since sound waves has crest and troughs, I wanted to experiment if I could cause a distortion in the airflow which in turns creates a new sound. I did so by adding humps to the inner lower part of the flute.

I have also added two modular parts to the flute.

First is a spinning fidget that spins when high pressure air passes through. This, ideally, will cause some sort of vibrato.

Second is a flap that minimises the space where air passes through the flute.

Because of the limiting capabilities of the 3D printer, I have to make a boxed bottom and widen the overall width of the flute to prevent it from deforming.

Viola! The final product.

I printed it in halves and used epoxy to fit them together. Also filed the inner bits and the holes but the finish was not as smooth as I hoped it would. The whole process was extremely time consuming but worth it when I put it all together:)

DOES IT WORK? WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER?

Sadly, it doesn’t. There are several factors.

The number of humps are probably too many and sound waves just didn’t flow well enough through the chamber. The mouthpiece was not big enough and airflow was restricted. The air hole and sound hole could have been covered better and I believe there was an error in my design of the flat piece that goes on the top. There should be a small chamber that allows the flow of air from the air hole to the sound hole.

Interactive Devices #2

Low and behold:

The power to make your dreams come true*
*lucid dreams/half reality? 

iBAND

(image source)

How it works?

It detects your brainwaves to know whether you’re asleep and stimulate your brain into lucid dreaming. And to top it off, if you’re wondering if you will wake up from the cues, fret not. iBand seems like they have got it covered with verbal and visual cues. (see video below)

This device lets you take control of your own dreams

Now your dreams will never be out of reach… ??

Posted by VT on Monday, 2 October 2017

The hardware involved seems one too many.

There’s also more hardware for the pillow that you can get with this band. All these seems believable that this device(s) could help bring about some health benefits such as waking up feeling more refreshed or aiding as a stress reliever. But aside from all the technicalities are more underlying factors to consider. Dreams, for that matter, lucid dreams aren’t that safe and not everyone can take it.

One of the best perks of lucid dreams can also be one of the worst pitfalls: realistic feelings. The lucid dream state can offer euphoric feelings of sight, motion, happiness, and even sex, but that means feelings on the other side of the spectrum can happen as well. Fear, sadness, and pain are all possible in a lucid dream too. That said, negative feelings like that are still more likely to occur in the waking state since, unlike the dream state, you have less control over the world. And no, you don’t die in real life if you die in a dream. Trust me, I’ve died many times in my dreams.

Patrick Allan, The Benefits and Risks of Lucid Dreaming

For one to undergo lucid dreaming “safely” is to be mentally sound, but even then, how do you ascertain one’s mental state? The greatest danger posed would be that an individual will constantly want to remain in their dreams and not wake up despite the cues created for iBand.

What this device is, is one that helps induce lucid dreaming but not cater to the actual health benefits. Rather, it is the mental ability and state of mind of the being who is able to steer towards “healthier” living. Is iBand all that good? Maybe I should try it out first.

Interactive devices #1

PARI – your personal hug companion

This Stuffed Animal Lets You Share Hugs With Your Loved Ones

This teddy bear lets you hug anyone in the world from anywhere in the world

Posted by NowThis Future on Friday, 25 August 2017

This device is actually a very simple one. What you need is a vibration motor to provide feedback to the hugger, bluetooth/wifi chip to connect to the app and a pressure sensor to detect and transmit data of how much you squeeze your hug.

I am however not certain of how good the sensor is detecting heartbeats. On Purihug’s website, they mentioned this:

“If Charlie is also hugging me at the same time, Mom and Charlie will feel each other’s heartbeats over all of those miles! (I’m an expert at reading heartbeat data from fitbits and apple watches, but if you don’t have one or don’t want to share the data, I’ll just use some magic — and guessing.)”

It is quite vague but it seems like perhaps it will require the use of another wearable device to gather data on the other hugger’s heartbeat. Everything works and the two difficult things I feel, is the making of the app and how to keep every individual’s information confidential and safe. And second, the manufacturing of the soft toy (considering the material used, production, costs etc).

It is a fairly simple device and I strongly recommend to making of it. I am a strong advocate of making things that have a meaning apart from it being artistic or aesthetically pleasing. I feel that most things that exist around us should have a purpose no matter how small it is and what way it exhibits itself in.

Stay tuned for the upcoming series on Interactive Devices as Chuwypotter bring you the latest interactive happenings right at your fingertips!

#staylit

 

Semester Project:

This is a tough one.

Ideas:

  1. An interactive Screen that allows for the manipulation of the content, like how content aware works in Photoshop.

 

How?

Mostly software related. One way would be to use a “new” screen to present this idea.

Where?

HTML5

Goal:

Distort using mouse

 

Idea 2:

A windpipe that plays an music/tune that works automatically like a vocal sync cord that opens and closes according to the 4 base notes, G, C, D and A. So there will be 4 gates that will open and close according to a programmed timing for one short and simple song.

Image result for flute

3D printed – 4 gates built in to the flute

How:

4 motors that will control the gates within the flute at set intervals of one song.Image result for supercharger intake

humidity sensor to detect the blowing from mouth.