In this installation, I wanted to continue investigating the use of recognizable frameworks to invite interaction, this time accessing a behavior I observed during the Hi5 project. The Commensal Touch Transmitter, CTT will invite people to touch a corner of a sign posted on a walking path, and transmit the touch down the path to the next sign. The device will have a commensally symbiotic relationship, in that unlike a parasitic one, the device benefits from the structure of the sign, but is non-destuctive to the (host) sign.
In the discussion last class, Jonathon had some great points about inviting people to participate, and over the course of the CTT being up I would like to try some different ideas for the patch over the piezo element. First I had thought of a silhouette of fingers on the corner of the sign, but maybe a comic style "slap" would clue people in to what is happening. Further, there could be different textures to invite touch. I don't intend to record the number of accesses in this case, so I will be observing, and participating, as the walking path is a block from my house.
To accomplish this, I am using a Piezo Element to sense vibration from the touch, some children's walkie talkie's hacked apart as described in Low Tech Sensors and Actuators and a bunch of 10mm LED's and Lithium watch batteries to power them.
Here are some sketches and screen captures and images from where I am in the process:
So where am I and what do I have left to do.
- The piezo elements are en-route, and should be here this week.
- I have gotten 10mmLED's from Axman, as well as a power source
- I have the files ready to laser cut some acrylic for the light bracket/housing, I should be able to do that Monday or Tuesday.
- I am hacking apart the walkie talkies today and have relay's to go between the piezo element and the walkie talkie wiring. (according to the Low tech sensors... pdf.
- and that's it!
I think that's all that's left to do and they'll be up!
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