Deren's Tangible Studio Project

Project Name: Rebbelib Reconstructed
Maker: Deren Guler

Abstract:

Rebbelib Reconstructed is a robotic grid based on an ancient stick chart used by Micronesian sailors to show sailing paths. I hope to develop algorithms that abstract tangible and intangible data into analogous shapes that depict complex relationships in a simple tangible object. I would like to be able to represent a range of concepts such as the passage of different traditions throughout time versus the emergence of new technology. Using shapes within a grid could serve as a novel data visualization technique for not only sailors, but for students, designers, and professionals in many other disciplines.




Description/Timeline:

The grid lines can change angle and curve and are controlled by servomotors. This projects aims to create a data visualization method to represent abstract information within the constraints of a grid. Grids are very common in maps. It has been found that they are a very effective way of illustrating concepts such as time, distance, height, and orientation. The shape of an object, i.e. the amount of corners it has, and how curved the sides are, can also be interpreted to convey different relationships.

I have built a prototype and a simulation of the project and done research on how to limit the augmentation of the grid. The prototype only used 6 motors and I have redesigned it to include 16 motors using an IC that allows for more PWM channels. I am working on integrating the library for this with the library for Pachube, which send remote sensor feeds to the Arduino. I would also like to make it wireless and use XBee, but this is not necessary.

This week I plan to finish modeling the base/frame of the structure and put together the final circuit. I hope to spend the next two weeks tweaking the design and testing different algorithms in the code to see what will work best. I am also going to design a user interface for changing the sensor readings. By the final presentation I want to have an 8 x 8 grid that can respond to a range of sensor inputs and display different data in an easily comprehensible method.