PONGTISM

In modern life, many objects and especially communication devices have become ubiquitous yet unnoticed. From microwaves to overhead electric power lines, from computers to cell phones, invisible radiation emits and receives energy in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation (EM) is a self-propagating wave in space with electric and magnetic components; it has no visible manifestation and patterns. Our aim is to give visual responses to such invisible radiations.

Elevator pitch
Pongtism is an interactive installation which uses electromagnetic fields from technological devices for a ludic purpose. The idea is to use a "non-manageable frequency" as a new kind of input in relation to the first and most traditional videogame of all times, the Pong. At this stage, we thought this project for interactive media festivals or museums.

Technical features
From a technical point of view, an Arduino Diecimila board controls two simple sensors (antennas) which detect the electromagnetic field emitted from players' personal devices. One antenna is placed on one side of the player and the other one in front of him/her. This is to affect respectively the movement of the hitting-bar and the other one the speed of the ball. Proximity to antennas gives an increase in the EM value; thus, the EM value detected by the "positioning antenna" corresponds to the location of the hitting-bar. For what concerns velocity instead, the closer to the "speed antenna", the higher the EM value, the faster the ball will move. The game is rear projected on some weave or any suspended screen in front of the player.

Mood
After ten rounds the game is over and a radiation value which has been detected by the two antennas is calculated and displayed as a sort of score. The hi-score is displayed giving a fun, challenging but thoughtful mood to the game.

Future issues
It would be extremely interesting to recreate a multiplayer setting in the same physical space but this would probably imply at least the use of devices with different frequencies and relative different antennas.




::: Alberto Granaiola + Leandro Lisboa + Ivan Provenzale

Special thanks to Andrea Giorgi (logistics)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• iuav
• andy
• cameron
• illuminotecnica
• interaction
• design
• venice

[jorge10206]

Wow very impressive, What sensors do you use to locate the cellphone antena?