Flux - Showcase Video

A six week embedded interaction workshop focusing on interactive environments design hosted by architect Michael Fox, author of the book Interactive Architecture. The brief was to explore the new skills of contemporary social interactions and develop means to bring these new methods out of the computer and into the real physical world which we inhabit.

Our team was inspired by the idea of creating a unique and memorable experience for people to stumble upon in a public space. On campus, students often go from place to place, without noticing what is around them or straying from their everyday comforts. We hoped to create a moment of serendipity and public playfulness, and thus the idea of Flux was born.

The Flux concept comprises of two physical interactive portals that exist in different places on campus. The portals are screens that display alternating video streams of each other's location. The blocks invite people on each side to discover and play with the portal, as they can be physically pushed in or pulled out, and thereby affecting the video streams. The goal of Flux is to invite a sense of curiosity and enjoyment through the juxtaposition of here and there.

A physical working prototype half the size of our intended final design was produced using Arduino, web-cams, projectors, servo motors, switches, acrylic, lego, and wood. Arduino's were connected to a central computer which processed the signal from each switch and subsequently controlled the movement of each servo motor and live video feed.

Flux has been awarded first prize in the PolyU Micro Fund Innovation Challenge. The challenge called for  "Innovations for Campus Life Enhancement".  They looked for creative yet practical ideas from students that could better enhance the PolyU campus life quality.  It was expected that the winning innovations would make sustainable and lasting contributions towards campus enhancement after implementation.

Category:

Science & Technology