//Midterm Project Ideation

Starting to brainstorm for the project with Lenin, we started with doing something relating to MIDI but later on made a huge change from that.
Our intitial idea:
-connecting a keyboard to the computer, let the user play certain music through the keyboard, while something we create reacts to the melody of the music
We thought this idea would be less physically related, for it is only about plugging in a keyboard and coding

Second idea after we meet:
-let the user play certain music (either from their phone or laptop)
-the product listen to the music and generate different facial expression reacting to the music
Yet, if it is something like that, I keep doubting what the point or message this product tries to convey. There is a certain level of passivity in the user interaction here: it feels like the machine is demanding the human to do certain stuffs instead of being a helpful tool

Third idea:
-the product we create reacts to the users’ emotions and bodily movements?
e.g. when the user get disappointed, it shows a comforting sign, etc.

Some other things I have in mind:
-a facial expression lottery
the facial expression changes whenver the user roll the dice
why? what comes next?

-let the machine decides your life: ask it a yes or no question, type into the computer, it reacts with facial expressions
(as an irony to the superficiality of today’s world maybe?)

-?

Some very rought sketches

 
How it will work
what we need
-Arduino Nano IOT 33
-breadboard
-power supply

-2 servo motors for the brows
-1 linear actuators for the mouth
-2 LED lights
-translucent acrylic board

Some other random thoughts about the robot after meeting with Tom:
-use the distance measuring sensor to detect whether there is people coming, which triggers the robot’s facial expression reaction

Questions regarding the midterm project:
1. Are there any small linear actuators?
Answered: no need to use linear actuators
https://www.robives.com/mechanism/quick-return/
2. What kind of power supply I should get?

Questions regarding the tutorials:
3. What is the difference between output voltage and output voltage difference?

Regarding the readings:
I don’t have any questions for this week’s readings. They are all addressing really significant routes that I should follow. When I am thinking of the mid-term project, I also have this mindset of lessening the designer’s manipulating voice in the frontstage and try to think more on how to actively engage the  audience.
The idea introduced in the other book introducing today’s state of software design is  equally solid for me. For instance, today’s world is not only about the object-oriented design, but more about the experience-oriented design. Also, its points of how designers should position themselves and what roles they play in making these experiences is very inspiring. Personally speaking, I feel particularly related in this point. This is why I chose to come to ITP actually: I am also bridging the gap between design and technology in today’s constantly changing world.
 
Also the notes for the 3 readings for this week is here {google doc}
notes taken at class {google doc}