Automata- more sources in the 18th Century

Started looking further into Pierre Jacquet-Droz and came across more precedent for Automata in the 18th century. Friedrich von Knauss was another who created a animated 'writer', and earlier than Jacquet-Droz. Although a cruder version, Knauss went on to produce three other 'writers'.



Upon looking through this time during the 1700's, more and more examples of these Automata seem to appear. During this time there appears to be a fascination with mechanics, rightfully so since current philosophical thinking looked at the worked in a mechanical view, understanding humans and animals like they were machines. Combined with growing industrial technology there became a demand for these devices. Other examples were devices like a duck that digest and deficates and the transverse flute player, a study in human breathing.



A common thread from these works is the craftsman/ inventor understanding and experience in watchmaking. Clock mechanics is abundant in these works.

During this time, these Automata were used as entertainment pieces, some on traveling shows which amazed their audiences but also satisfied this need to better understand the world around us. In fact some of these devices were produced to better understand scientifically animals and humans. But there seems to be something else in mind, the uncanny nature of these devices. We know they are not real but they seems to mimic natural movement or sound. Its as if these devices are soulless, lacking any core entity and merely a slave to their master.

Vivisection # 2- Halloween hand

The last couple of days i carried out the hand vivisection. The hand is another toy made from Gemmy industries, creating simple movements to appear 'alive' and creepy.






After getting the 'skin' off, i noticed a simple layout of the mechanics, one motor driving a gear box that displaces movement to the 'fingers and to the underside of the wrist: oval wheels to help with movement.

Once the frame has been separated from the gear box, the remaining entity resembles a bug of some kind, with attennae pulling itself across a table.





The motion sensor is what i am currently working on. I had some troubled removing it and then noticed that the motion sensor has less sensitivity when out of its 'hole. Perhaps the cylindrical enclosure creates shadows which the sensor reacts to.

The creap factor

Continuing to look at the turtle as a robot and brought it back to life. Trying to understand better the components of movement and how they might relate to one another. I rebuilt some of the turtle, isolate certain gesturing devices.

I found another source of automaton, Jacquet Droz, and his draftsman, lady musician and the writer from 1772. It amazes me the animated life of these automata, like Dedalus, Jacquet Droz is able to bring this ‘dolls to life with a series of complicated mechanisms within that mimic a natural movement. The complexity if the mechanics translates to a very random, alive response to the audience. Like the turtle, that evokes a natural movement with a combination of simple gestures on their own, these Automata come to life due to this movement. Jacquet Droz seems to have taken it further with his Automata, take for instance the draftsman, which draws four different kind of drawings, but during his drawing process, pauses and blows the dust of his drawing. A little creapy if you ask me. In fact the Automata contains cams, which are interchangeable elements to the machine that allows it to be programmed to allow for different outputs, like a drawing or a picture. Here is a link of the writer, the eyes in the end creep me out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1nxETblSi4

Here is another creepy link of other Automata, Dolls that move, and especially their eyes, is too much for me. I think I might have nightmares now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-sdt3qtcB8&NR=1

Operation a success, I think

After many hours under the knife i am happy to say the turtle is unrecognizable. I have included some further pics of the vivisection, including the final spread of parts. The movement of the turtle was particularly interesting, the 'torso of the robot' has a mechanism that mimics a car piston, to produce the up down movement of the turtle.



The above photo is the lower motor mechanism, responsible for the turtle's twisting action.
Here is the head, linked to the upper motor gear box.
The upper motor controls the majority of movement, from arms, head and up and down motion.

Day 2 of Funky Turtle under the knife

Today was quite productive. The beast within has finally revealed itself. It was a painstaking process. I discovered it has underwear,. Well at least that is what one of the fabrics sinched around its waist with a cable tie, reminded me of. Who knew cable ties were used.I found it interesting that the structure within seems to have its own personality, something that appeared as i activated the turtle without its shell. It kind of resembles a marching band conductor. I prefer the 'turtle' without the shell, its seems to be more fitting with the music.
Here is a video of the beast.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWhgTJyXEOo

Day 1 of Vivisection

Friday was a slow to start. Started to peel of the layers of fabric. These plush toys seems to have a multitude of layers ,it seems endless. Was able to take of the head and shell today. Here are some pics of the operation. The face laid out is my favorite. Hopeful by day two i will see the beast within.

Vivisection # 1 Candidate

The funky dancing turtle will be the first patient.
I am particularlily intrigued in its movement, curious to see the skeleton beneath the skin. I am reminded of the scene in terminator when the skin is peeled back to reveal the metal exoskeleton beneath. Perhaps within the dancing turtle an alien structure will emerge. Cant wait.
I noticed the 'Funky Dancing Turtle is a toy built from Gemmy Industries Inc., the makers of "Big Mouth Billy bass" an animatronic device that clamied some fame on TV.


I came across a work from Heron Alexandrinus, a mathmatician, physicist and Engineer from 10 to 70 AD Greece. Here is a reconstruction of Heron's Automata 'Hercules and the dragon" from Giovanni Battista Aleoti 1589. Perhaps there is a longer history to these 'automata' then i thought.

Can't wait to break them open

After the hunt at Value Village and my storage room, I found 5 'objects' that I found mentally stimulating,

Object 1 - Alarm Clock

Sony Dream Machine

stimulus >snooze, tuning controls

response > music or loud buzz sound
A clock radio from 10 years ago, cant believe i still had that. I found it interesting its called the dream machine, when in fact it would cut my dreams short.

Object 2 - Keyboard

Yamaha

stimulus >Demo mode, equalizer

response > sound

Maybe I can learn how to play piano at the same time.

Object 3 - Musical/Animated Plush Toy

Turtle

stimulus >Activated by button on foot

response >Movement/Music

I particularly get a kick out of this one, not only for a good laugh but i am interested in what makes this thing dance better than I do.

Object 4 - Preschool Interactive toy

'Ball'

stimulus > button within center

response > multi coloured lights illuminate

Although a very simple toy, it could have some interesting guts to its assembly.

Object 5 - Halloween Decoration

Severed hand

stimulus > motion/sound or push button

response >finger movement/ crawling action

The motion/ sound stimulus has me curious. Something i might pursue down the road.So here is to exploring the wonderful world of electronics.