References – F15 60-223: Intro to Physical Computing

Arduino has come out with a serial plotter, but it leaves a lot to be desired. In order to visualize Arduino data, I have had better luck with processing. There is a sample program on the arduino site: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Graph. The processing code is a comment in the arduino sketch. You can download processing at: https://processing.org/download/

Also, the processing code didn’t work for me at first. I added the code I used at the end of this post, but it would be good to look at the code in the arduino sketch since it has a good way to draw a line graph.

// Example by Tom Igoe


import processing.serial.*;
Serial myPort; // The serial port

PFont myFont; // The display font

String inString; // Input string from serial port

int lf = 10; // ASCII linefeed

int xPos = 0;

void setup() {

size(600,600);

// You'll need to make this font with the Create Font Tool

//myFont = loadFont("ArialMS-18.vlw");

//textFont(myFont, 18);

// List all the available serial ports:

printArray(Serial.list());

// I know that the first port in the serial list on my mac

// is always my Keyspan adaptor, so I open Serial.list()[0].

// Open whatever port is the one you're using.

myPort = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[0], 9600);

myPort.bufferUntil(lf);

}
void draw() {

background(0);

// get the ASCII string:

if (inString != null) {

// trim off any whitespace:

inString = trim(inString);
/* replace this code with code to draw your data

String[] vals = inString.split(",");

// convert to an int and map to the screen height:

float y = float(vals[0]);

float x = float(vals[1]);

y *= -1;

x = map(x, -100, 100, 0, height);

y = map(y, -100, 100, 0, width);
// draw the line:

stroke(127,34,255);
arc(x-5, y-5, 10, 10, 0, 2*PI);

*/

}

}

void serialEvent(Serial p) { inString = p.readStringUntil(lf); }

Physical Computing out in the world

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:48:40 +0000

A run-down of some phys-comp related companies out in the world, according to Ray Kampmeier (and Ali)

Branded Experiences

GUILD http://guildisgood.com
I like to think we’re the most fun to work for – we specialize in doing things others don’t know how to execute. We also fabricate in-house. We have a really diverse team, which makes us pretty unique (engineers, technologists, sculptors, painters, agency folks, designers, theater and film set designers, architects). Dabblers love us, and people who thrive in an environment of constant challenge and problem-solving. Check out some recent projects that integrate technology on gizmodo and digiday
Outform http://outform.com/
I know of these guys because they do a lot of work globally for Apple retail – objects for window displays with integrated / programmed LEDs. Usually they are producing in higher volumes than us, so they have some manufacturing muscle to leverage.
Arktura http://arktura.com/
This is a very cool company, founded by SciArc grads. They do digital fab in-house – mostly metal work for permanent architectural installations around the globe. Very cool that they have all these tools under their roof.
SET http://setcreative.com/
More traditional agency – a lot of Nike work, etc. In-house Creative, Project Management. No in-house fabrication – all vendor work. HQ in PDX, studios in NY and LA, expanding globally – was just bought by a large conglomerate.
Optimist http://optimistinc.com/
Also more of a traditional agency – differs from Guild and SET in that they also do content-creation in-house. No fabrication in-house.
Deep Local http://www.deeplocal.com/ (in pgh!)
Ion Tank http://www.iontank.com/ (in pgh!)
Local Projects http://localprojects.net/ (Led by one of Ali’s heros, Jake Barton)

Complex Hardware Prototyping

Lime Labs
Logic PD
KS Technologies
Synapse
Think2Build

Creative product design firms:

Ideo
Frog
Smart Design
Ziba
Design Concepts
Minimal
Native
Fuze Project
Artifact

Companies like PTD clients:

Thync
Bactrack
Mark One
Popslate

TED talk by David Kelly

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:15:01 +0000

A talk by the Author of “Creative Confidence“:

mCookie by Microduino Studio (2015)

george_wang — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 23:14:31 +0000

mCookie is the latest project from Microduino Studio. Their goal is to make all the different sensors and circuits into a unified stackable design. Therefore it makes the prototyping process much easier and cheaper.

All mCookie boards are Arduino-compatible. Makers can write their own programs in the Arduino IDE and upload their code to the hardware via USB. It dramatically decreases the size and cost of design prototyping, improves flexibility of Arduino-compatible boards, and enhances the user experience of building IoT projects. You can learn more about this interesting project in their Kickstarter page.

Build your own sensors!

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:53:49 +0000

This wonderful site has instructions for many kinds of home made sensors.

Check here for all the sensors.

Smokey has constructed multiple sensors using this website as a guide, including a button sensor (conductive fabric and neopreme), a pressure sensor (using velostat and conductive thread), a tilt sensor (conductive fabric, thread, and a ‘bead’ made out of a nut). He has also constructed a linear encoder using 2 limit switches and an encoding pattern cut into cardboard.

“Indoor Range Finding” by WiSE lab @ CMU

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:52:38 +0000

Acoustic Location Processing System (ALPS) is an indoor ultrasonic ranging technique that can be used to localize modern mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The method uses a communication scheme in the audio bandwidth just above the human hearing frequency range where mobile devices are still sensitive.

More info here.

“Babolat PLAY” by Babolat (2015)

robert — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 20:59:43 +0000

The Babolat PLAY is a connected tennis racket. The racket records data about every hit, including serves, swing angle, impact location, velocity, force, and spin. It pairs with your phone over Bluetooth. Babolat’s app uploads your data to the cloud, so that you can view the data after a game to analyze your swings. The battery lasts for six hours before needing a recharge, and the racket feels identical to comparable standard tennis rackets.

YouTube / Babolat – via Iframely

References – F15 60-223: Intro to Physical Computing

Swept Frequency Sensing

Touch And Activate

Touché

Botanicus Interacticus

Acoustruments

Machine Learning for Max and Pure Data

Open Source & Swept Frequency Sensing

More Related Links and Such

Arduino Capacitive Sensing with Single Pin

Designing for Wearables CMU Paper!

Visualizing Arduino Data