RE: network of motors for "Theater of Things" project

by Assegid Kidane
From what I know so far, I am thinking of using a teensy/xbee based hardware where part of the data processing can be partially distributed to the arm control objects and wireless connectivity will be accomplished using zigbee protocol. This way,

Assegid Kidané

Engineer

School of Arts, Media and Engineering

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts | Fulton School of Engineering

Arizona State University

Box 875802

Tempe, AZ 85287-5802

V 480.965.6127 M 480 306 2686

F 480.965.4345

assegid@asu.edu

http://ame.asu.edu

  if and when the project grows to add more arms and the programming involves more intricate movements we will not have to be concerned about bandwidth issues with the coordinator module. Instead of sending large detailed direct commands from the PC we can send short codes that the individual objects will interpret. Julian, what is your preferred osc control format you would like to use?

From: Xin Wei Sha
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2015 7:33 PM
To: Assegid Kidane
Cc: Byron Lahey; Christopher Roberts; Julian Stein; Christopher Zlaket; post@synthesis.posthaven.com
Subject: network of motors for "Theater of Things" project

Hi Ozzie,

OK to follow up on our chat today.

It turns out that Zlaket’s Synthesis research time is already dedicated by to work with Chris Ziegler on Ziegler's motorized lights for forest3.  You may be already consulted on that :)

However I think we must not wait for that project to finish before getting a move on the "Place and Atmosphere: Space Design: Theater of Things” research project.

We can start with a provisional mechatronic foundation for the robotic animation of small lightweight objects like pieces of cardboard, ribbon, flowers, mirrors.   This would extend the Ozone platform to mechatronics that can be animated using logics from the media processing.

Would you be interested and available to do the first step: develop a small test network of 3 small motors that can be addressed from the Ozone system using an OSC protocol that Julian can decide (in consultation with you and Todd)?     I think it would smart for us to consult with Byron because I know he’s already thinking about streamlining his hw. 

Later we can discuss good “default” or initial behaviors some of which Byron already implemented two summers ago: imitation, delay, antisymmetry, repeat, reverse, etc. etc.

I’m imagining this should not take very much of your time, but it is of foundational research importance, as new element of our responsive environment toolkit.
Of course, this assumes that you have the time to take this on before the establishment of the new electronics labs downstairs in the former TV Studios.

We can touch base on the first goals maybe with Byron before the AME General Friday or at a Tea...
Xin Wei


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Sha Xin Wei • Professor and Director • School of Arts, Media and Engineering + Synthesis
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts + Fulton Schools of Engineering • ASU
Fellow: ASU-Santa Fe Center for Complex Biosocial Systems
Affiliate Professor: Future of Innovation in Society; Computer Science; English
Founding Director, Topological Media Lab
skype: shaxinwei • mobile: +1-650-815-9962
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