Irene Lo

 

The concept for this tangible is focusing on the motion of using a shaker because of it's a well known affordance and how it influences the dish displayed in more than one meaning. In a scenario, some one wishes to season their steak evenly however they have trouble adding too little or too much in one area. Thus the shaker which has a lilypad accelerometer attached  to the bottom will react to the tipping of the shaker whether it is to the x or y axis will rotate the plate. This in turn will allow the person to evenly distribute their seasoning onto the steak nicely without overloading their tastebuds. The plate can also rotate at different time intervals: tilting the shaker to the left gives short rotations as compared to the right. This concept not only applies to seasoning steak, it can be for any kind of dish, especially helpful on large plates that are hard to reach the other end. 

Iteration Process: with knowing I have access to using 2 sensors (servo motor, lilypad accelerometer)

 

1st Concept

First idea was rather vague and wasn't explored much. The intention was to setup a miniature window with curtains. Somehow through the use of the servo motor I wanted to draw the curtains in and out and with the accelerometer the speed in which they were pulled will give some output. This was quickly shot down.

 

I realized later that the servo motor I got was the continuous rotation so I began brainstorming ideas based on what motions could be created by these two sensors and what objects could represent these motions.

 

2nd Concept

The first iteration was decorating a cake. The cake would sit on a stand that rotates in the opposite direction of my hand squeezing out the icing. I thought this would hide the components well however I did not go through with it.

 

3rd Concept

The next iteration was to be more on the aesthetic side. Based on calligraphy, I wanted to use a brush with an accelerometer attached and depending on how I stroke it onto the canvas, the canvas will rotate in different directions to make the strokes look more smooth and flowing. But I was concerned that there would be some time delay for detecting the value on the accelerometer and moving the canvas.

 

4th Concept

I came to the decision of using a shaker but actually for a different concept. I wanted to apply salt to a pot of water so it will boil faster. The servo motor would still be attached to the pot to rotate but the connotation would be how the particles within the water will swirl and move around and the rotation implies the circulation within the water. Physically it would also help stir the content.

 

With all the reasons valid I was going to go with this concept however I found the seasoning on a steak more unique, relatable, and pleasureable to accomplish.

Referenced tutorial of lilypad accelerometer from: http://www.ddlab.dk/tutorial-on-the-lilypad-accelerometer-to-be-continued-maybe/

 

#include <Servo.h> //call from library
int servoPin = 13;
Servo Servo1;

void setup() {
  // initialize serial communication at 9600 bits per second
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Servo1.attach(servoPin);
}
 
// the loop routine runs over and over again
void loop() {
  // read the input on analog pin 0:
  int xValue = analogRead(A0);
  int yValue = analogRead(A1);
  int zValue = analogRead(A2);
  // print out the value you read:
 
  Serial.print("X value is: ");
  Serial.println(xValue);
  Serial.print("Y value is: ");
  Serial.println(yValue);
  Serial.print("Z value is: ");
  Serial.println(zValue);
 
  Serial.println(" "); // Makes a space between the readings
 
  delay(1000);  // delay of 1 second - time to better read the Serial Monitor
                
  if(xValue >370 && yValue >300){ //check values are above certain threshold
    Servo1.write(80); //turn cw
    delay(500);
    Servo1.write(90); //stop
  }
  if(xValue < 290 && yValue <320){ //check values are below certain threshold
    Servo1.write(130); //turn ccw
    delay(200);
    Servo1.write(90); //stop
  }
}