Projects
|
Smart Blocks by Shenwei Liu, Hang Li   Video
|
In this project, we propose and implement our idea of smart blocks. Smart blocks are basically miniaturized computers, which are empowered by microcontrollers and various sensors. With the unique form factor and embedded sensors, we enable more natural interactions such as tilting, shaking, and aligning blocks. We build two identical smart blocks and implement a small set of applications to demonstrate how such physical interactions can be useful in different scenarios. |
|
Tone Matrix by Will Gunn, Erica Horowitz, Hassan Robert Shalla, Emily Wagner  Video
|
Tone Matrix is a physical adaptation of an online art and music tool available at http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tonematrix. Our prototype consists of a grid of pushbuttons that, when pressed, activate a light. There is a constantly a signal sweeping through the matrix; when it finds that a square is activated, a corresponding tone is played. The horizontal axis is used to denote time, while the vertical measures the pitch of the note. Tone Matrix uses a pentatonic scale to ensure that it is easy to make great sounding music in addition to aesthetic patterns of light. |
|
AV Globe (Squid) by Melanie Ann Aliperti, Beth Brown, Joseph Polsky  Video
|
We have designed an audio-visual desk-top controller that attempts to alleviate stress through audio-visual stimulation and human interaction. Our first prototype focuses on a visual light display controlled by user proximity input. |
|
Melodrawmatic by Kyle Barron, Deborah Qimin Tan, Eric Zatz  Demo1
Demo2
Demo3
|
In this project, we implemented Melodrawmatic, an Arduino-based robot prototype that draws according to musical input. The device receives and interpret auditory sounds as motion commands depending on the notes played. Our current command set include going forward, stoping, and turning directions. Using an attached writing utensil, the robot draws as it moves on top of a surface. |
|
Magic Book by Nathan Holley, Brett Markowitz, Mark Neuburger  Video
|
Inspired by high-tech, almost magical-seeming modern portable technology, we created a device that utilizes unobtrusively placed electronic hardware to stimulate to a large extent the feeling of interacting with a device that does not obey conventional physical laws.Ê Rather than making a cell phone or a PDA, we decided to go in a fresh direction. Specifically, we decided to construct a Òmagical bookÓ:Ê an electronically locked book with an interior storage compartment and an engaging and enigmatic experience to gain access to this compartment. We created this experience by careful selection of several input sensors and audio and visual feedback devices that work to allow the user to interact with a voice inside the book giving instructions. By solving the riddles given by the voice in the book and making appropriate actions to trigger the sensors hidden in the book, the user eventually gains access to the compartment inside. |
|
Sudoglove by Joseph Ballerini, Jeremy Evan Blum, Edgar Alexander Garcia, Tiffany Ng  Video
|
SudoGlove aims to bridge the gap between the user and traditional physical hardware devices. Given the high learning curve in understanding how to use foreign technologies, we hope to break away from conventional control mechanisms and explore an intuitive way to control these devices. SudoGlove will provide a tangible interface that relies on hand gestures to wirelessly control any device or software. By removing the distance between the user and traditional hardware devices, our goal is for SudoGlove to feel more like an extension of the body as opposed to an external machine. As an investigation into this idea, the goal of this project is to capture simple hand gestures from the SudoGlove and use that input to wirelessly control a modified RC car. At the moment, controlled variables include speed, steering, headlights, siren lights, siren sounds, the horn, and forward/reverse using a combination of flex, force, vibration, and gyroscopic sensors. |
|
Wall-E by Peter Heller Clain, Jesse Miner, Johnathon Schultz  Video
|
For our project, we built a "fetching robot." It patrols around and utilizes its mounted camera to detect objects with specific color such as ping-pong balls. It has a fork arm in the front designed to pick up a ping-pong ball. A range sensor on the end of the arm detects if a ping-pong ball is in the fork. Upon detecting the ball, the robot stops and lifts the ball into a hopper on its back. Early on, our robot earned the nickname "Wall-E," so we gave it googly eyes to reinforce that and give it some character at the same time. |
|
Helicopter by Wayne Colizza, Nate Johnson, Jeffrey Shaffer  Video
|
In coordination with Professor Ahutosh Saxena's group, we developed a modular sensor assembly for an autonomous indoor helicopter. Our project includes a highly modular circuit board design to facilitate future prototyping with easily swappable sensors, a panning sonar system for obstacle detection and environment mapping, and custom designed and 3D printed landing gear to protect our hardware. We implemented a 3 voltage power regulation system, wireless data transmission, and arduino controlled servo movements, while neatly integrating with the existing helicopter structure and interfacing with the camera and separate transmitter used for the autonomous flight "optical flow" algorithms used by Professor Saxena's team. |
|
Card Dealer by Thomson Ly, Abena Oteng-agipong, Stephen K Tseou  Video
|
The automated Card Dealer project aims to decrease cheating in card games by taking the place of a human dealer. It works by first inserting a deck of cards into the deck tray. A single card is passed onto a conveyer belt, flipped if needed and then ejected out of the card dealer via a card ramp. The Card Dealer has two pre-programmed games (Blackjack and Texas HoldÕem) which can have multiple players. The dealer will rotate and deal to the players who will be equally distributed around a semi-circular table. During each turn, the device will ask for input via the two push buttons on the sides and provide audio feedback. |
