Synaptic movement - Take 2

Today's work focused on wiring the beast and fine tuning the sensors that will activate the devices. Here are some pics showing more of the progress.

Horizontal Movement

The device can now move along a cable. This adds another element of motion to the device, and another switch possibly on the pulley. I hope to have a switch similar on the floor device at the pulley bracket. Ideally the torso device will move independently from the floor device, but some element will be adjoining the two devices that will twist, or distort as a result of these two devices.

The switches for me are a crucial part of the projection. I would like to either project the movement of these switches through shadow or video: emphasizing the relationship between the exposed circuit expressed through these switches and the responding motion from this monster.

The switches them selves could act as sound activators or light stimulator's that can connect this device to other potential neighbours.

Connections

I modifed the circular switch, and added another tilt switch to the device arm. I discovered some interested movement between both devices using the two different switches i came up with. Because each switch controls a motor on the opposite device, sometimes there are moments that the range of movement will create 'dead spots in the switches: when the connecting cylinder or object is in between connecting nodes. At moments the devices create an interesting random motion, independent from the circuit boards and outside stimulus, this is beginning to continue for more extended periods of time. I think i will have less dead spots in movement when i add a third mechanism, the cable tow, allowing indirect stimulus between devices.

The right parts

Most of the day was spent getting correct wire connections, Arduino boards and steel tubing. Took a trip to the RC Eliminator Hobby shop. Pretty cool store. Was surprised by the amount of architectural related supplies available. Hardware seems to be still a big issue, where to find the right pieces. Home depot and similar box stores are not enough for custom, or unique hardware pieces. Maybe i will just start ordering online.

New switches for different movement

Starting adding more switches to the 'hand' device. The tilt switches don't work as well as i would like with the movement of the device, so i might adjust the wheel size to increase the tilting movement of the body, or i have to change the switch. I looked into other types of tilt switches and came across one that uses a few washers, nuts and bolts. The concept works with my circular switch holder/cable tie piece. I just combined two, attached one with two bolts sticking out, stationary on the 'hand' body at the axle. The other disc is on the inside of the oval wheel, with a spring. As the wheel moves forward the disc turns and connects the spring to one of the bolts. When the wheel turns in the opposite direction, the spring connects to the other bolt. The spring disc is friction fitted, not permanent on the wheel, so when the wheel continues to move in one direction the disc stays in position, keeping contact. Tommorrow i will wire it up and see how well it really works.

Details

Before our web chat with TML, i worked on getting the transparent switches to work with the 'turtle' arm and make some kind of random movement. Before it didn't work so well because of the weight of the switch was too much for the arm to rotate properly to get the tilt switch in the opposite position to activate. I came up with some quick clips for the switches, and as result they can be used for cable organization within the switches or separate from it. I might modify the design a bit depending on the other applications of the tilt switch itself.



Here is some video of the device working, i apologize for the orientation. The two devices are hooked up to light sensors (motion) now, the hand light sensor was kind of wonky. The 'hand' on the table had some appearance of random movement. It goes back and forth depending on the position of the tilt switch, in relation to the moving arm, and movement in the space around them: someone might have activated or deactivated the devices. For example the 'turtle' might stop and the hand keep going in one direction and when the 'turtle' activates again, the hand changes direction or stops. Definitely not there yet, but there is promise. The next step is to add resistor to the tilt switches to slow down and speed up the motor. I hope to get many more switches integrated into both devices by the weekend, can't wait to see what happens.

Interface with Autism

Looked into Autism as a study of how people who isolate themselves from the world might interface with the outside world. There seems to be this escape from reality that kids with Autism appear to have. Kids with autism seem to move there bodies in a robot manner similar to Joey the mechanical boy. Some suggest that its easier for people with Autism to imitate a machine then to face the real world and so they choose the easier path. Joey the mechanical boy needed to use mechanical devices to separate himself with the outside world. Like the monster i am presently creating there is still this buffer between the outside world and the monster's 'self'. Something i am trying to understand and dissolve.

What also distinguishes us from robots is the differences in pathology and normal people: can a robot be dysfunctional? The fact that we strive for perfection to make robots is perhaps the problem, maybe we need to produce something capable of pathology that gives the sense of being alive. Perhaps further research can look into these devices that we use as a buffer between us and the outside world.

Here are a couple links:
http://mysonhasautism.blogspot.com/2005/10/whats-wrong-with-computer-metaphor-of.html
http://cultronix.eserver.org/hilary/

Transparent Tilt Switches

Began to fabricate the tilt switches, came up with a solution for a transparent tilt switch using a plastic tube, springs and metal rod. The goal was to create a switch that took advantage of the one pole contact of the opaque, metal tube tilt switch. Using the spring inside the plastic tube, allows for continuous negative contact and than separate positive contacts on either end. This allows for different results from tilting, such as direction or speed of motor. Still working on a using the switch to control speed, perhaps with a series of resistors on each contact different than the other in the amount. I have included a video to show the result.

The Real Doll

I watched the film 'Guys and Dolls', which speaks about how the 'real doll' has become more of a companion than a pleasure device for many people. I was interested in some of the behaviors of the men towards the doll. Most of them would dress them, groom them, etc, some would even take there dolls out with them in public. Its kind of creepy how most of these men behave with the doll. One man would take pictures of his dolls with him in natural poses: the photograph makes the dolls come alive. These men seem to have social issues, not all but most. The men remind me of the self involved behavior of the mechanical boy, using a doll as social vice. Its not the movement of the doll, but the lack of it, that seems to reinforce the feeling of control these men so desperately want. These men are not mentally ill, they understand the uncanny nature about the whole thing but it speaks to the idea of interface again.

Synaptic Movement

Abstract:
The project looks at Automata of the 18th Century and the work of the clock maker Pierre Jacquet-Droz. His Automatons, including others from Vaucanson and Von Kempelen, fulfill a desire to understanding the world in a mechanical way. My initial focus was on the movement of these Writer’s, Drawers and Digesters, and what was it about the actions of these somewhat aesthetically life like figures that evoke such a ‘pleasurable’ response from the public. For me it’s this uncanny movement of the automaton that responds to our psyche. Freud and Jentsch define the uncanny as a response to the unfamiliar, the ‘unhomely’, a fear of the unknown. Freud relates this human response to a human repression of familiar elements of our childhood that are now reintroduced out of context. A human response is seen in public reaction to Descartes’ mechanized doll of his late daughter, and the talking doll of Thomas Edison. The uncanny nature of these examples seems to be related to the spontaneous motion or self-movement that is expressed. The oxford English dictionary defines automaton as “a piece of mechanism having its motive power so concealed that it appears to move spontaneously. In 17-18th c. applied to clocks, watches, etc.

The monster is a working model for acquiring random, self-movement: through the combination of motions of two vivisected devices. Both devices are moving toys, that have been reduced to the simple gear and motor cases that create their movement. Photovoltaic sensors are used to stimulate movement within each device, which stimulates movement between each other. Self-motivated movement is explored through reversing the motor direction of these devices, adding to the variety of motion. The use of tilt switches was introduced, and the fabrication of transparent tilt switches lead to an expression of movement of the circuit. The expression of motion through a chain of events through switches and motors allows for a more self motivated movement: like the blood of an android pumping through its veins. Further exploration will focus on replacing some parts of the body with movement-activated switches, to transfer more of the motion of the devices into the overall movement of the monster. Continued research is looking at the uncanny in relation to psychological case studies like that of Joey the mechanical boy. Joey behaves autistically, like a robot, where he uses mechanical devices to interact with the outside world. Joey is interesting for his discussion about interface, and how we interface with the world. Is there control in our behavior and is their control in the mechanisms that create our movement? Is that what distinguishes us from automata? The motion of the circuit allows for an exploration of this metaphorical nervous system, and how synaptic movement can lead to a voluntary movement evoked by an outside response.

Reactive Movement

The monster is starting to make an appearance. I have concentrated on this idea of the uncanny Freud was talking about, and in artists like Mike Kelly. The idea i am going with so far for my monster is as follows: a device which reacts to surrounding movement, reacting with movement that causes a chain of random events that may or may not activate other devices. I have taken what is left over from the turtle device, hung it upside down and attached a tilt switch, more to come, to the arm. The idea is that a tilt switch will activate, and hopefully by Tuesday reverse the motor direction of the hand device. I imagine device 1 ( the turtle) hanging from a suspended cable, and moves along its length. The device has exaggerated proportions, through extension in wire, to which tilt switches will be installed. These tilt switches are to be connected to other motors on device 1 and device 2. The battery packs of both devices will also be suspended, and dragged along as device 1 moves. Device two will remain on the floor. I envision a dismemberment of an Automata, where the brain is being dragged along by one element and a detached isolated body part activated by random by audience or device 1. The uncanny relationship between these two hopefully expressed through a random indirect response . Video to follow.

Movement switches

After discovering the benefit of the mercury switch, or any tilt switch for that matter, i wanted to create my own from scratch. Using ball bearing recovered from a industrial castor, lead holder tubes and some copper wire, i was able to create an okay switch. The problem was the connection between the bearing and the copper wire. I then found some aluminum pipe, 1/8 " diameter, and cut some finishing nails, and achieved the same result. They work, but they do not consistently change to a change in angle. I found this site for homemade switches , check it out:

http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/07/simple_homemade_tilt_acti.html

Sensing movement

The appearance of independent, random movement is one direction i want to take my monster. the idea being that movement will be stimulated by other devices and responded with movement from movement. the light sensor circuit achieves a motion sensor element, but how to obtain random, or differentiated movement was still a question i had in mind. I created a circuit, from make magazine site, http://www.make-digital.com/make/vol10/?pg=66&search=555&liid=eb284a0105%20target=&u1=texterity&cookies=1

I was able to use a 555 timer to make a LED blink 5 times a second. I am hoping to use this circuit in some way to differentiate motor movement and/or affect LEDs that will be attached to the monster. After a short discussion with guest crit Jean-Pierre Gauthier, he had suggested mercury switches, or tilt switches to switch the polarity of the motor.

The act of a movement from the monster will either activate another motor, device or reverse the action it is currently in. A more random movement may occur as a result of movement that is activated through movement from the audience or other devices.

Joey: The Mechanical Boy

Came across an article by Bruno Bettelheim, titled ' Joey: A "Mechanical Boy". Bruno discusses a case history of a boy who suffers from schizophrenia, and behaves like a robot. In fact the boy believed he was a robot, expressed through drawings.



His motions and mannerisms mimic a disjointed mechanical movement. The boy would go as far to uses props like an extension cord to pretend he was plugging himself in while eating. In fact everyday functions like sleeping were not possible unless joey was able to relate his behavior to some mechanical device, such as crafting a apparatus from cardboard. masking tape, wire and other paraphernalia that allows him to live while sleeping. The behavior, traced back to his childhood and lack of emotional fostering from his parents. This is interesting for its comment on what makes us human. As they went through rehabilitation, his behavior became more responsive to his environment. 'The heart of Joey's delusional system was the artificial, mechanical womb he had created and into which he had locked himself. This idea that humans can mimic robots, to the point were people recognize them as robots is interesting. This behavior is described as autistic as well. Autism is characteristic of isolating oneself from the outside world, projecting in ward on to one's self. Like robots, autistic children lack emotional response, lacking human characteristics. Our ability as humans to interact with our environment and respond to complex situations is one part of it. The uncanny nature of a boy robot, who is human, i think is rooted in this idea of unhomely that Freud speaks about in his paper the uncanny. The uncanny emphasizes that which is not native to the situation. A boy should not be a robot, a head should not be mimicking facial expressions because its is not native to that context.

Light Detector Circuit

Built a motion sensor circuit using a light sensor. The sensor is more sensitive to changes in light than a particular movement or speed. Just need to figure out the differentiator circuit, which will allow a light sensor to change to speed or direcion of a motor. Today i was able to get both devices communicating and responding to each other. The motion circuit activates the turtle, which in turn activates the motors from its own circuit board. Because both devices are hooked up to a relay, once the turtle activates, the hand activates 8 seconds later. Which in turn reactivates the turtle because of the new motion detector circuit recognizing the movement of the hand. A loop is created, the devices almost continue activating off off each other. There timing is a bit off, maybe i need to use the 555 timer. We will see tomorrow.

Uncanny

After discussions with Patrick, decided the direction for research will focus on this idea of the uncanny, specifically this energy force that seems to exude from Automata. The interaction we as an audience engage in with Automata and 'mechanisms that resemble life', creates a bond, one seen in the Descartes myth, but also in modern devices like the Real Doll. But what is it about this movement, gesture of independence that makes a moving device seem alive. Looking into Freud' discussion about uncanny, discovered some of his theory is based on Ernst Jentsch. Jentsch defines uncanny as the fear of the unfamiliar and it is based on intellectual uncertainty. Freud expands on this, with a psychoanalytic approach. His conclusion is that uncanny is a combination of 1)the act of a repressed childhood experience being revived, reacting in a 'double" or opposite way, where a defense mechanism turns that pleasurable childhood experience into a feared one and 2) a primitive belief, which has been overcome, seems once more to be confirmed. the importance of the definition seems to be this distinction between a childhood view upon Automata, wanted dolls to come to life, and in adult hood, fearing them. Perhaps we learn to recognize or react the uncanny.

My monster will focus on recognition/ response of 'independent- free movement within its surroundings and itself. Movement that mimics the self. Here is a link for a Japanese robotics/ facial expression study, investigating emotion in faces through 19 moving parts of a humanoid.

http://www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId
=55538&newsChannel=technologyNews

The Beast- still a work in progress

Thursday tutorial opened my eyes on the possibilities within our devices. But with that said, my beast is still a work in progress. With recent research directing me toward movement within Automata a catalyst for emotional response within an audience, my focus was to interact by way of sensing movement. My aim is to create a beast which responds to its environment, through it own movement, within its own construct, independent and self motivating. I came across a work by Edward Ihnatowicz, The Senster, a robotic sculpture that principally responded to voice but also responds to movement.

Edward built an oscilloscope from old radar parts, using radar technology to detect movement. Unpredictable behaviour of the audience during its exposition resulted in more sophisticated movement. This relationship between audience and device i important, its alludes to this idea of the response of the environment affecting the behaviour of the sculpture. An adapting behaviour. This relationship between the 'robot' and the 'patrons' reminds me of the same connection an audience has with the Automata of the 18Th century. My own beast i decided would use some particular circuits, a relay circuit and a differentiators circuit, that will utilize light sensors to sense movement around them and between each component. Other devices like timers and potentiometers might be helpful to attribute a more independent behaviour.

So far i have explored and failed miserablly on those two types of circuits i want to layout. in the end of the day i ended up with a relay switch attached to both devices, the hand and the turtle components, where when the turtle is set off the hand will activate within 8 seconds. It might be interesting to create a loop by activating the hand, relaying it to the turtle components which activate the motion sensor of tha hand and continues onward. However i having issues activating the turtle within the relay setup. more work to do.

Automatic Movement

The word autonomous defined as self governing, independent, subject of its own laws. This prefix auto- (Automaton) refers to 'self or 'ones own'. i wanted to consider this when configuring a beast. Our interaction with Automata create an emotional response within us. We are entertained by this uncanny 'alive' presence within. 18th century fascination seem to get pleasure from this source of entertainment. Is it pleasure of the unknown becoming understood. This idea of Pleasure Automata sparked interest within me. I started reading the 'myth' of Descartes' and his Automata companion. It is speculated that he had a doll, resembling his late daughter, to become companionship for him. The doll mimic natural movement and voices, typical of many Automata of the time. But what is it about us psychologically that draws us towards these devices. Its this uncanny movement,that draws us to the Automata.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1nxETblSi4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ffogonazos%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F2007%2F01%2Fwriting%2Dautomaton%2Ehtml

We escape reality for a second to believe that these aesthetically natural yet distinguishably fake devices have a soul, an inner force that has given it self governing, independence. Perhaps there is a fear of the evil mechanisms, in a controlled setting, that we desire unconsiously. I started looking into my two vivisected devices and want to configure a beast that acts on this principles. I noticed that reversing the polarity ( switching the wires) on the motor, reverses the movement. Now if i can create movement within one object to switch another device like i switch the polarity of the motor, perhaps a combinations of random movements will appear as a self governing entity, no longer a slave to its master, but a uncontrollable beast.

Here are some pics of studying the movement of the turtle Automata using LED's to illuminate moving parts:

The uncanny nature of Automata

Came across the Baron Von Kempelen who created a device that could play chess. The device includes a table/ desk with the chess board and a figure dressed as a turk seated behind the chess board. Yet, the space below was used to house a person who would guide the chess player, pretty much playing the match.


This was interesting because this false automation attracted many who wanted to pay to see a 'machine play chess'. The 'chess player' challenges this belief that the human intellect can not be simulated. The weekly standards article 'The dream of Mechanical Life' describes this essence as cognito, the thinking essence of being human. There is a reference to Freud's idea of the uncanny. The uncanny being something unknown, usually related to fear. The Chess Player provokes suspicion, and questions this idea of intelligence in Automata, or can this Automated devices in fact become human like. This act of thinking as Descartes asserts as the essence of being, is not present yet appears to be in these devices. Like the writer and the musician of Jaquet-Droz. Freud uses this word uncanny to help explain the feeling we have towards these devices that we know are not real but behave so naturally that they resemble their muse. There seems to be something uncanny in puppets, ventriliquists and Automata. The creep factor perhaps is a fear of the unknown, a fear that certain objects could be alive.