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The Whatchamathumper
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Date completed:
March 2004
Media/tools:
copper tubing, wood (various types), paint can, photo sensors, pre-made drum, pre-made triangle, elastic bands, MIT Cricket sensor nodes & motors
Images:
(click to view)
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The Whatchamathumper is an interactive mechanical percussionist, which responds to timing of the user waving their hands over light sensors by playing various instruments at a related tempo. There are four instruments: a drum, a triangle, a clapper, and a strummer. The concept was to create a musical toy that would engage the user both visually and through sound, combining familiar elements in an unfamiliar way.
The instruments are controlled by MIT Cricket sensor nodes coupled with Lego Mindstorm motors (the ugly plastic boxes that were grafted onto the sculpture). These detract from the appearance of the piece, but as this was a project for a class, time was limited. At some point I would like to refit this sculpture with better-looking electronic components.
This was a collaborative project between me and one other student for a course called Things That Think. A video of this thing has been posted to the class website, so click here if you want to see the sculpture in action (QuickTime required). If you're really bored you can read the project report to find out more about the construction of this automaton. |
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