Making Toys

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Yury Gitman 8:21 pm on January 29, 2009 Permalink | Reply

Schedule – Spring 2009 Semester
Jan
27    First Day
30    Sign-up To Blog, Review Parts to get and where/how, Install operating system. Do homework Hello World, Hand-out Arduinos

Feb
3
   Show Home Work. Discuss LED's, Lumi's Viewing Radius. Find LED
time-pieces, blog them. Make a series of LED's fire. Explore Time and
Squence in Code. Explore Position in Space for Effect. Assign Student
Lecturers.
6      Student Lectures Begin. Topic and Homework - LED Light and Time, Resisters, Series/Parallel.
10    Student Lectures. Topic and Homework - LED Light and Time- PWM and general construction and material effects.
13    Movie Theremin
17
Attend Toy Fair 15-18th. Blog 3 items you liked there. Include photo,
name, maker's name, and one paragraph of why you like it.
20    Show LED light Projects – Crit
24    Student Lectures. Topic and Homework – Order Speakers and other parts. Sound, Speakers, IR sensors, Ultra-sonic sensors
27    Student Lectures. Topic and Homework – IR sensors, Ultra-sonic sensors, Feedback via LED's

March
3     Student Lectures. Topic and Homework – More on IR sensors, Ultra-sonic sensors, Feedback via LED's
6      Student Lectures. Topic and Homework – Sound and Music Feedback via Speakers, PWM
10    Student Lectures. Topic and Homework – Sound Resonance in Material. Prototype 1
13    Student Lectures. Topic and Homework – Prototype 2
16 to 22    Spring Break
24    Project Crits, Prototypes 3
26
Electro-Plush, Sewing and Plush Fabric/construction- Focus on
Fabric/Stuffing, Blog 3 Characters you like. Never the same twice.
31
Electro-Plush, Sewing and Plush Fabric/construction- Focus on
Enclosures, Research Other Elecro-Plush, Find 3 and Describe why.

April
3 Electro-Plush, Prototype 1
7     Electro-Plush, Prototype 1 — User Play-Testing
10 Electro-Plush, Prototype 2
14 Electro-Plush, Prototype 3– User Play-Testing
17   Electro-Plush, Prototype 4
21 Holocaust Remembrance Day
24 Electro-Plush, Clone and Network
28   Electro-Plush, Clone and Network– User Play-Testing

May
1     Labor Day Clone and Network
5     Electro-Plush, Prototype 4– User Play-Testing
8     Electro-Plush, Prototype 4
9 & 10     Reviews for Major Studio
12           Last Day of Class. Individual Reviews.
16t-17 Thesis Reviews
18   Classes and exams end.

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Yury Gitman 12:46 pm on January 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

Course Description/Outline
About This Class:

As a second semester Major Studio in the four semester MFA program, Computation gives students experience prototyping embedded computing applications, objects, and experiences. This class focuses on building and refining prototypes based on concepts outlined by instructor, but created and imagined by students. It will also focus on ubiquitous computing, product and experience design, documentation/presentation skills, entrepreneurship, and tend-spotting.

This Class Focuses on 3 primary projects:
A Time Piece:
Use LED light to show the passage of time, and tell/read a certain time.

Theremin:
Use proximity sensors and speakers to recreate a Theremin-style sound object.

Electro-Plush Experience:
Use light, sound, and proximity senor(s), to create an interactive plush-toy experience.
____________________________________

Once a primary project is built, students will have to keep it operating so it can be used and iterated through-out the rest of the semester. In final presentations, students will show all three projects as their "final work."
Additional exercises will be assigned through-out the semester to develop the necessary skills to complete the 3 primary projects.

Material Costs:
Since we make prototypes the entire
semester this class will ask you to buy a lot of things. If you've
taken physical computing you probably
have most of the tools already. I will introduce all the tools and
materials in class. Expect to spend around $100-300 for material/tool cost in
the class, for all your prototyping needs.

Warning:
This is a rapid
prototyping class, you will test your concepts as working prototypes. Physical computing is a prerequisite for this class.

Making things people play with is not an easy design challenge.
Making
your designs and prototypes withstand user-testing requires a lot of
time on your part. In light of this, it may be very likely that this is your most
time consuming class. But I think you'll find the work very rewarding
as your prototypes begin to live around the home and in your creative
portfolio.

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Yury Gitman 12:20 pm on January 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

Assignment for 2/27/08
Order:
Code

Read:
THE COMING AGE OF CALM TECHNOLOGY
http://www.johnseelybrown.com/calmtech.pdf
or
http://nano.xerox.com/hypertext/weiser/acmfuture2endnote.htm

Read:
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/Introduction

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Yury Gitman 12:02 pm on January 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

Required Reading:
Book:
Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
by Charles Petzold

Web:
Arduino – HomePage

————————————-
Non-required but helpful:
http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/

Flow : the psychology of optimal experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
————————————-

Additional reading assigned in classes based on topic and class direction

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Yury Gitman 11:45 am on January 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply

Major Studio Guidelines
Major Studio Guidelines:
Download Major_Studio_Spring09

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Yury Gitman 1:16 am on December 24, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Antisocial toy
After solving the movement issue of servo, I started thinking about how to put all these electronic parts into my plush toy. First, I moved one of power supplies to mini breadboard and attached it on the Arduino board. Here I simply used both hot glue and tape.

Toys were having fun to hang out together!
Matt’s toy (with accessories made by Hsiang Ju and me) + Hsiang Ju’s duck

The box made of cardboard was used to protect the circuit and provide a platform for servo to stand. Two batteries would be legs of the toy.

Everyone was working hard =)

I started sewing the skin of my toy. It’s a lot of work, trust me.

My toy’s head.

I got a plastic clown nose from Halloween Adventure, ha ha, and I used it as the head part, just the perfect size. Servo’s fan was attached on the plastic ball by hot glue, and the same, connected the plastic ball and the fur head skin. So toy’s head would turn to specific angles that I set when motor was triggered.

However, I made a mistake here. Without making sure where eyes would be, I hot glued the head skin with the plastic red ball. When I wanted to sew the IR sensor on its head, I found it’s hard to separate the fabric from the ball. Since I couldn’t mount the IR sensor at the right place, toy’s eyes were much lower than I originally expected.

Putting on its skin continuously.

Final review document

the testing video is on the way.
to be continued…

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Yury Gitman 11:55 pm on December 23, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Hello, How May I Help You?

Do you often have guests over and wonder what they’re doing when you’re not looking? Perhaps, they’re getting too comfortable and have stopped asking before they open your drawers in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc. to get what they need?

Hello, How May I Help You? is an adorable and friendly solution for such people like you. Simply place the doll into a drawer of your choice, and turn on the switch before guests arrive. If they snoop into your drawer, the doll will "greet" them with a message when it opens.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2619450&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1
How May I Help You? (Final Form) from Fuki on Vimeo.

(More …)

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Yury Gitman 7:52 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Bchito [bee-chee-to]
http://w176.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w176.photobucket.com/albums/w163/jndopazo/parsons/WirelessToys/FinalProject/8eca5bd4.pbw

Do you keep forgetting things everytime you change your purse?

Now there’s an easy way to remember everything you need to bring with you. It’s called Bchito.

Bchito is small and can be used with any purse. It’s also available in different presentations to combine it with your outfit…and you’ll remember everything!
It will help you remind the basics you need to bring with you on certain moments; work, an interview, a date, a gathering with friends, grocery shopping….

But wait! There’s more. Bchito is also handy outside of your purse in those moments when you can’t find what your looking for. Just place it outside of your purse and it will help you identify the items you need and seems impossible to find in your home.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2546988&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ff0179&fullscreen=1
Bchito from Jennifer Dopazo on Vimeo.

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Yury Gitman 6:23 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

“The Love Lamp (ohhh yeah!)”
"The Love Lamp (ohhh yeah!)" sets the mood for love….everytime!

A pair of unassuming jeans hang from the lamp waiting to set the mood.

Here’s how it works:
1. turn on the lamp by flipping the switch on the condom box
2. unzip the pants slowly
3. watch the light turn from white to red
4. listen to the sweet, sweet sounds of Marvin Gaye "Let’s Get It On"
5. get it on…

NICE!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2578884&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
The LOVE Lamp from Lynn WasHere on Vimeo.

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Yury Gitman 6:05 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Bath Ducky
" Quack quack, it is fill!"

This is a modified rubber duck not only giving you a company when you are taking a bath but also watching the bath water for you. You can save time and energy while waiting for the bath to do other things, because the bath ducky will inform you when the water is full.

video is on the way

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Ken Talton is discussing. Toggle Comments
- Ken Talton 1:27 pm on November 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  
  WHERE did you purchase the duck?
Yury Gitman 5:43 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Surya
http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

Surya is a toy, who needs love, affection and the Sun to survive. In today’s world of video games, a child needs a companion who would play with her outside or encourage being outdoors. Sun is a source of health and vitality which every child could benefit from. Get Surya for your kid and let both of them enjoy the sun together 🙂

http://a.parsons.edu/~udays709/toy/sur-cd.mov

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Yury Gitman 5:14 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Compy: The monitor for your monitor!
Compy is the monitor for your monitor!

Do you spend too much time sitting in front of your computer? Do you
waste time checking your email over and over instead of going out and
having a life? Compy is for you!

Compy clips to your laptop screen, and he sits patiently. He will use his infrared sensor to detect when you are in front of your computer, and if you’re there for 30 minutes, he will alert you! Don’t worry, if you walk away from your laptop, Compy knows and will restart his timer when you come back. He’s always happy to keep an eye on you!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2547096&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
Compy! from Joana Kelly on Vimeo.

By Joana Kelly (joanawithonen[at]gmail[dot]com)

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Yury Gitman 5:12 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Compy: A peek inside
Finally, Compy is up and working! Here are some photos of his guts, and his code is below!

Compy’s front

I added googly eyes and a pipe cleaner bow-tie to give him a little craft charm.

Compy’s Back

His battery pack is attached on the back.

Compy with his Battery Pack removed

The battery pack is attached with velcro. The chip clip which holds Compy onto a laptop is hot glued.

Compy’s Guts

I used an Arduino Mini, and had to put that in a little acrylic box from the Container Store separate from another acrylic box containing the speaker and the IR sensor.
Code is below!

(More …)

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Yury Gitman 5:02 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

PING. What will it say about you?

PING is a smart trash/recycling bin that tracks your trash activity and reports it online. His aim is to help you develop better recycling habits by collaborating with others.

PING is part of a larger concept that asks the question: "If objects had a voice, what would they say about us and how would we respond?" PING’s ‘voice’ is able to tell users about their trash habits and connects them with other PING users online to allow opportunity for collaboration toward a more sustainable world. PING does this by tracking each time you throw an item in either its waste or recycling compartment and reports this activity online as well as communicating directly with the users through its own illuminating lights. Future iterations of PING will also include a way for the bin to measure weight of the trash, how often the bin gets filled up, and will be able to remind users of trash day so they’ll remember to put the trash out. All this data collected will connect to much larger ideas online. For instance, knowing how much paper people recycle can help us calculate how many trees each individual is saving, etc. – allowing each person to feel a bit of accountability and reward for their recycling efforts and help them know that they do in fact play an important part. View a demo video:

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2546377&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
PING. What will it say about you? from Katrina Bekessy on Vimeo.

PING was created with Arduino and Processing. Source code can be found here:
Download PING_ArduinoCode
Download PING_uploadDataToSite

PING was created by Katrina Bekessy.
Katrina would love to hear any thoughts/opinions/feedback you might have about this project. If you’d like to learn more about it or share your thoughts, please contact Katrina at kmbekessy[at]gmail[dotcom].

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blackout is discussing. Toggle Comments
- blackout 10:03 pm on September 1, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  
  Useeeeeeeeeellllllesss !
Yury Gitman 4:35 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Cedric the Catertainer!
Cedric The Catertainer: A Taunting Cat Toy

Do your cats get bored with their toys after only a few minutes? Do they miss you when you aren’t at home? Cedric the Catertainer is the new cat toy for the lonely, bored, and fickle cat. He demands to be played with. If your cat hasn’t been playing with him for a while he will start to taunt your cat, making fun and intriguing sounds. If your cat gets too close, Cedric will start to shake in fear and his eyes will light up. Add a little catnip to his fur and your cat will go crazy. Best. Cat Toy. Ever.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2542704&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
Catertainer Cat Test from Mouse & the Billionaire on Vimeo.

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Yury Gitman 12:46 pm on December 16, 2008 Permalink | Reply

vMind!
vMind: The customizable vitamin reminder

Do you often forget to take your vitamins? We all know they are good
for you but its so easy to forget! Using both light and customizable
sound, vMind will encourage and remind you to take your daily vitamins.

vMind uses both light and sound to ensure you remember your daily vitamin. You can customize vMind with your own encouraging message, favorite song, or silly phrase! When you pick up your vitamin bottle you will hear your own personal recording and the light will turn bright green. As you set the bottle down the light will fade from green to red over a 24 hour period. The next day, when its red, you will remember that you need to take your vitamins!

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2543405&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
vMind final from Jessica Floeh on Vimeo.

Project by: Jessica Floeh (flobotic@gmail.com)

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Yury Gitman 5:30 pm on December 12, 2008 Permalink | Reply

Catertainer: Behind the Scenes
The circuit inside the Catertainer has been miniaturized. Check it out!

It doesn’t get much more compact than that. There’s a switch to turn the bad boy on, and a button the side of the container to trigger the sound clips for exhibition purposes. Next step… fur!

Read below for the final code

(More …)

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Yury Gitman 8:18 pm on December 8, 2008 Permalink | Reply

*** Making Toys 5, Public Presentation/Demos ***

The Parsons "Making Interactive Toys" MFA Class is having public demonstration/presentations of their projects.
This class explores playful experience-design with interaction and wireless techniques. They’ve made "smart" objects the engages users playfully, or into play itself. Their prototypes are documented in this blog.

Date:
Dec 16th / 6:30pm-8:30

Formal Critique is 6:30-7:30pm, General Playtesting 7:30-8:30pm

Time:
Formal presentation and critique will be at 6:30-7:30pm. Each student will present their work.
General free-from play-testing anyone attending is 7:30-8:30pm

Location:
2 W 13th St., 10th Floor [Main Lab, Far Corner]
New York, NY 10011
http://cdt.parsons.edu/

Open to Public. Come and play.

****************************************************************************

****************************************************************************

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Subalekha is discussing. Toggle Comments
- Subalekha 9:58 am on December 9, 2008 Permalink | Reply
  
  :-O wher was i??