Still not sure exactly where to situate this Robovend machine.

In one case, I envision the Robovend as a form of interactive art in the future, in some museum. It was the first collaborative vending machine that both humans and sentient human-robots (hubots) could use, and the display plaque would make that clear. There would be photos of robots and humans posing and using it in the factory where it was first  installed, and some vaguely doom -y phrasing like “remained active until lack of humans needing to use it, whereupon it was replaced with a robot-only vending machine.” Perfect 50-50 split of functionality, robo-USBs on one side and human buttons on the other.

<- Partner with these guys

In another, the robovend could be more robot focused. Maybe the robots took over, or just evolved better than we did, and because of that humans have a smaller place in the planet or market than we have now. The vending machine would still have elements of the human side, but definitely a secondhand thought. Human use would be cumbersome, and most instructions would be in robocode.

Maquette: 

• There will be many different kinds of robots, shapes and sizes and modes of getting around, so the machine should feature many forms of payment at different heights. Hence, the USB slots at different heights
• The first robotic vending machine will be made by humans, because it requires an ability to create something that does not exist yet and I do not think the robots will be creative enough.
• OR, it should be inconvenient for humans as an afterthought, as a form of negligence. But not outright.

Interesting directions: the parallel between us and robots (which are internet connected), and the parallel between older non-technology users and the younger, tech generation.

Also interesting: dispense robot parts and human food on reels, like pick-n-place machines.

I thought a lot about robots of the future, and how exactly they would integrate with humans in the same space. I came to a few conclusions that helped guide my intent and artifact, and then my friendly classmates and teachers gave me some more suggestions.

Materials:

• 3 mini projectors (borrowed from IDeATe lending)
  • 3 power cables, 3 HDMI to mini HDMI adapters, 3 HDMI cables
• mac mini (borrowed from SoD VMD)
• chip board for box, sensor board, and projector enclosure
• paint (?)
• projection surface
• notable electronics:
  • 3 light valves
  • 4 IR proximity sensors

This project is a modern day satire on humans obsession with wanting to know the future. We are drawn to horoscopes, crystal balls, and psychics all to find out clues about our future selves and relationships. Many people have general anxiety about the future and seek direction from outside sources to ease the pressure and help them make decisions. This project will act as a fortune teller where users can ask a question and the device will respond with an answer. While the user is asking the question it is likely that they have already made up in their mind which answer they hope will be displayed. In this sense, the fortune teller can ideally encourage a bit of self understanding.

The seemingly arbitrariness of a fortune teller translates well to binary logics. In this project, the users will be instructed to press a button down while they ask the question and the output will depend solely on how many seconds the button was pressed for. I am providing audience users with answers to their questions based on an input that is irrelevant to their question but still a conscious decision. This project would be sited in a public setting and the experience is meant to be playful while the audience tries to figure out how the responses to their questions have been evidently randomized.

Maquette:

Design:

The main part of the device will be a box made out of mirrored acrylic so that the inside of the box might have the effect of an infinite mirror. The button will be at the center on the inside of the box so that the users have to reach into the mirrors to ask their question further emphasizing the magical aspect of fortune telling.

There will be a fake microphone at the top of the box with the words “Ask me a question” printed next to it to give the illusion that the machine is listening. On the sides of the box there will be two speakers that will announce the answer to the question once the button has been released. Lastly, the inside edges of the box will be lined with LEDs which light up either green, red or yellow after the button has been released. The mirrors will reflect the LEDs and light up the whole box when the answer is announced via speaker.

Logic:

If the user held down the button for an even number of seconds, then the device will light up green LEDs and send power to a speaker to play the sound “Yes.” If the user held down the button for an odd number of seconds, then the device will light up red LEDs and send power to a speaker to play the sound “No.” If the user held down the button for longer than 8 seconds, then the device will light up red LEDs and send power to a speaker to play the sound “Concentrate and try again.” The device will use a timing mechanism to identify exactly how long the button was depressed which will feed into an arduino to power the LEDs and speaker

Materials: 

• Arduino (ideate)
• Mirrored acrylic (ideate)
• Arcade button (ideate)
• Two speakers (ideate)
• DFreader + SD card (ideate)
• color changing LEDs (ideate)
• wiring and power (ideate)

Word Equation:

If E AND NOT L –> Y

If NOT (E NOR L) –> N

If L –> TA

Logic Diagram:

Truth Table:

Next Steps:

First I need to upload recordings saying “yes” “no” and “concentrate and try again” onto the SD card so the files can become outputs on the DFreader. Then I plan to code the timing between the button being pressed and released via arduino so I can use that information to drive the LED output and speaker output.

Figuring out code logic

• When the button is high (pressed) start timing until button is low (released). int x = round(flt)
• If x < 8 and (x % 2 == 0) then “even”
  • Delay (5);
  • If even then play file zero and colors[i] = rgb_color(0, 255, 0);
• If x < 8 and (x % 2 != 0) then “odd”
  • Delay (5);
  • If odd then play file one and colors[i] = rgb_color(255, 0, 0);
• If x >= 8 then long
  • Delay (5);
  • If long then play file two and colors[i] = rgb_color(255, 255, 0);

Description:

My days are frequently divvied up into intervals of work and rest. I’ll spend three hours working, and then I’ll switch over to an hour long break. The idea behind my project is that I want the lighting in my room to reflect whatever “mode” I’m currently in. Colors are frequently associated with particular emotions, and it’s possible that by having the lighting be in colors that promote productivity and work, I’ll be able to more easily get down to work. If the colors in my room are relaxing, maybe I’ll be more at peace, too. The intention is that the user will be able to change the lighting at will, and I’m hoping this will affect the emotional state of the user. Furthermore, time is a key component of this project. The idea behind the project is tied to working and resting at particular times throughout the day. As such, I’m planning to incorporate a clock into the project. The following section details the logic associated with this project.

Word Equation:

Before going forward, it is important to note that it is possible to turn every switch on. There is a hierarchy to them which determines what lights will turn on. If work is switched on, then it doesn’t matter if rest and party are on as well. The work lights will be on. If the clock is not in sleep mode, then awake mode is true. Furthermore, it is important to note that I’ve detailed which colored lights will come on. This is subject to change depending on whether or not said colored lights are appropriate. For example, if I discover that blue doesn’t make me calm at all or that particular colored lights put me more in the mood to party than green lights, then I will change which colors turn on.

(NOT sleep) AND NOT(work OR rest OR party) -> awake lights

Work AND (NOT sleep) -> work lights

Rest AND (NOT work) AND (NOT sleep) -> rest lights

Party AND NOT (work OR rest) AND (NOT sleep) -> party lights

Logic Diagram and Truth Table:

All assumptions made here are addressed in the above word equation section.

Progress:

Here are some pictures of my progress.

Wiring

Front of the box

View of the box and lights

In a world where humans are not the majority, RoboVending is a vending machine made to be easy to use for robots.  Human usability is an afterthought, and unintuitive.