netObjects final project
CONCEPT:
Take live measurement of power usage at ITP and make it visible in the form of an inflatable space or light fixture. The idea is to make people more aware about the power we’re consuming by having the inflatable respond to increases and decreases in current/voltage readings. In the inflatable space scenario, when power usage is very high, balloons inflate within the space, becoming too invasive, i.e. no fun.
Why inflatables? They change form easily, fluxuate often - characteristics very similar to energy as well. We felt it would be an interesting and tangible visualization to communicate how we consume energy. Expanding and contracting tie in with increase and decrease of energy values.
We also want to make use of waste material for building the object. We’re considering working with the coffee bladders Alice Planas has been saving from the morning classes.
We’re looking at mechanical systems to handle the inflating - ideally, low power is the goal here since sustainability and energy conservation is what we want to build awareness of. The preliminary sketch below shows a bellow to inflate (think accordions).
Possible additional features:
- Switch readings to pull data from usage in other rooms - if I’m in this chair/environment and want to experience what’s happening with the power in another space, I hit the switch for “Lounge” and suddenly, the chair squishes me.
INSPIRATIONS:
Inflatable architecture/art [1] [2] [3]
DIY Kyoto’s Wattson
Interactive Institute Flower Lamp
Inflatable rabbits
IMPLEMENTATION:
- Build ammeter circuit for measuring current draw
- Record values to database via XPort (allow for usage by other projects)
- Gather range of values, calibrate for use within our circuit
- Feed values to motor/mechanism handling inflation
- Design and build inflatable object (small scale first; then build up)
Feedback?
- Does the connection between energy usage and the inflatable make sense?
- Would you sit in this “chair”?
- Would you want to see actual numbers to understand what’s happening?
- Other material ideas (reusable/recycled preferred)
- We’ll also be gathering voltage info from the solar panel - but not sure how to, or if we should incorporate those values into this particular project