Cube (Archived Project)
“This shy robot interacts with its environment on a cognitive level changing mood and behaviour accordingly”
Cube was designed and developed in 2005, originally exhibited at the conTemporary Gallery in Brighton before later appearing at FutureSonic, Optronica and Big Blip festivals.
Myself and three other individuals worked together on ‘Cube‘ (John Murdoch, Glen Lashley and Simon Feasey) with the help of Bill Bigge from the University of Sussex Autonomous Systems Lab.
The idea behind Cube was to take the typical user-to-art interaction scenario and turn it on its head so the art would be interacting with you. On approach Cube would appear to be a stationary black box sitting quietly in the gallery space, as you draw closer Cube will make a cognitive decision on whether it ‘likes you’ or ‘dislikes you’ based on your appearance. Once its mind is made up, it will either try its best to move away or follow you around the room.
Further content and images inside.
At the core of Cube was a small micro controller connecting a laptop to the wheel motors and sensors, feeding the computer with constant information about the Cube’s surroundings. The software side was handled exclusively in Macromedia Director.
Production photos from the prototyping process:
Cube was also fitted with a camera, utilised as part of the recognition and decision process. A by-product of this meant we could also capture images of the people and spaces Cube was reacting with from its own perspective.
Website at: http://www.futuresomething.org.uk/cube/
Tags: electronics, interaction design, web design