Interactive Kitchen

   Since the assignment is to find an inspiring example I thought to post what inspired me.  This is the kitchen I walked by (about 5 years ago) in the MIT Media Lab and thought it was cool.  I find myself wondering to my kitchen aimlessly about 100 times a day that it has become so routine to me. What I like about this interactive kitchen is that it re-thinks how people interact with the traditional kitchen.  Instead of testing the faucet to see if the water is cold or hot, the color (blue/red) of the spout tip eliminates that step and lets the user know visually how hot/cold the water coming out is.  Another thing I constantly do that is not very friendly to the environment is open and close the fridge just to see what’s there.  This interactive kitchen projects on the door an image of what is inside.  Here is website that has more images and where I also took the main image from.  While looking for this I also found this dishmaker which has nothing to do with this assignment but I thought it was cool.  When I first saw this kitchen, I wish I had done it but at that time (a sophmore) I did not think it was possible.  For my project I was thinking of making a water fountain that adjusts for height.  This way it eliminates the need (and the stigma) for two water fountains side-by-side one of which is for handicapped people.  And perhaps it can even go so low as for a pet to drink from.  While looking at this kitchen again for this assignment, I found that it had an adjustable sink (the video is a bit repetitive).  Perhaps I can learn from their idea.

Assignment 1

So, building on the example in class of the virtual reality game created with the Wii controller, here’s a game system that utilizes brain waves and body language to allow users to control virtual and real items using their mind.

Although I doubt that I’ll be able to accomplish something like this in a semester, I still feel like this is worthwhile because it is being developed to interact with robotics, thus making exploration and travel into dangerous / inaccessible areas much easier. I envision a machine which combines 3D virtual reality technology with this kind of technology to allow people to more efficiently achieve tasks with complicated robotics.

Assignment 3: Complete the Arduino Tutorials

Due January 29, 2008: Complete the Arduino tutorials at the Ladyada.net site (Thanks, Limor!).  Post pictures of your working electronics, and post your code, for these projects (one post for all is fine).  The purpose of this is to convince yourself, (and everyone else) that you know your way around the Arduino hardware, that you can write and modify a simple Arduino program, and that you are ready to move on with making your own stuff.  Suggestion: work with a friend, if you can; it’s more fun and you might learn more and save time.  Suggestion 2: keep track of how long you actually spend working on the projects (honestly – note your start time and end time, and make a habit of  this, so you start to be able to predict how long things will take).

Assignment 2: Term Project, first idea

By Tuesday, January 29: Post a short description of an idea for your term project.  At this stage, it can be as short as “sneakers that sing when you run,” or “a room that knows who is in it and adjusts the lighting for mood.”  Of course, a more elaborate description is welcome, but the goal now is to start thinking, and record your ideas for the project.  Certainly, you won’t be held to the idea you post now so don’t let that inhibit you.