2.5. Tech Demo 2: Temporal Machine

The first demo was an exploration of a process, the second is an exploration of time, as detailed below.

Again, the primary deliverable is a brief (less than 1 minute) video documenting the function of the demo, posted via the 16-223 student site. For this iteration, the post should also include the Arduino code and a sentence or two describing the key features of the implementation. If you post code inline, you must use the code tags described on the site help page; unformatted code is very hard to read. Please observe the Lateness Policy and Fall 2016 Calendar. Please add your post to the ‘Demos’ category.

Please note there is no formal proposal process for this demo; we simply expect you to build it and post a video by the deadline. If you have questions about scope or feasibility, please ask.

Also, IDeATe has committed to exhibiting at the Google Geek Street Fair on October 7, so we will be looking for projects which could be developed into a demo.

2.5.1. Objectives

The goal of this project is to create an embedded Arduino program creating temporal behavior at a human time scale. In order for this behavior to be visible it will need to be expressed via sensors and actuators.

The human body has its own set of natural time scales ranging from a single heartbeat to a lifespan. We have a set of familiar rhythms including breathing, walking, and sleeping. The inclusion of computational processes provide a rich set of resources for how time is addressed. A key learning objective is understanding the computational opportunities including timing measurement, rhythm and pattern generation, and trajectory control.

There are a number of directions this demo might take. A few suggested starting points follow:

1. Musical machines which create rhythms.
2. Animating a familiar object.
3. Behavior which synchronizes to a human process.
4. Clocks, calendars, and orreries.
5. Controlling the tempo of an existing device, either to make it more harmonious or more frustrating.
6. Devices to measure and respond to human temporal cues or performance.
7. Augmentation devices to extend the range of human time perception.

2.5.2. Criteria

Please observe the following:

1. The emphasis is on exploring an interesting application of computation to time. Please focus your attention on the digital process rather than physical structure, e.g., if you need to make a form, cardboard and paper are perfectly acceptable, and use whatever actuators are expedient.
2. The project can be output-only, but will be more interesting if it uses a sensor.
3. You may use more than one input or output if it makes sense, but it would be expedient to stick to one input and output.
4. The device should actually work; no faking.