Outcome

Move up Delete Move down

Concept and Goal: In a long distance relationship, interaction suffers. Our goal was to enable users to communicate their emotions in a visceral way by introducing an object that would mirror or support the way that the user was feeling. When a user aggressively fires the slingshot, an angry text message is sent to their lover. A small, flirty sling has a different meaning; seeking a lover's attention.

Move up Delete Move down

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Inspiration: Across long distances, there isn't an easy way to get the attention of your loved one. Flirting and expressing a unique array of emotions that aren't well expressed by words is difficult in a long distance relationship, and we want to enable couples to get each other's attention. We are using a slingshot to express a negative emotion, because we thought it would be interesting to introduce a cathartic element to allow the user to interact with their emotion.

Move up Delete Move down

Image uploaded from ios

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Process: We picked cut wood for the slingshots because we liked the juxtaposition between the smart slingshot and the rough wood. We didn't want this project to feel at all technical, as that might interfere with intimacy.

We ran into challenges with the bend sensor. We originally hoped to have an array of text messages sent, but realized that our sensor was too sensitive. We could only manage two distinct messages. We would like to continue exploring the bend senor after this project- it opens up a world of possibilities.

Move up Delete Move down

Image3 %282%29

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Image4 %282%29

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Outcome: While the bend sensor is a little fussy, we realized our vision and created a way to sling messages with attitude across long distances. This new communication style allows lovers to close the void that they might feel by enabling them to interact in a physical way.

Move up Delete Move down

Next Steps: We created a freestanding indicator light to communicate that a message from your lover has been received, but we would like to explore possibilities that would make the object itself react or indicate that a lover has taken an action. We would like to pursue ways of creating output directly on the slingshot- perhaps the handle should light up or the slingshot should vibrate.

We would love to continue this project into the future by designing a set of objects that get their lovers attention, with each being used to express a unique emotion and feeling.

Move up Delete Move down

Bill of Materials:

(2x)

-Bend Sensor

-particle, Breadboard, Circuit wires, resistors

-wooden crotch

-rubber band

-Fabric (for slingshot stone hold)

-Opaque paper and tape

Move up Delete Move down

Unknown

0 B · Download / View

Move up Delete Move down

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Code

Move up Delete Move down

#include "neopixel.h"
#define PIXEL_COUNT 24  //use a nexpixel with 24 leds
#define PIXEL_PIN D2
#define PIXEL_TYPE WS2812

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(PIXEL_COUNT, PIXEL_PIN, PIXEL_TYPE);

int i;
int yellowPin = D5;  // use a single-color led
int flexPin = A1;  //use a flex sensor
int state = 0;
int num = 0;
int flex;
int a =1;

void setup(){
  pinMode(yellowPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(flexPin, INPUT);
  strip.begin();
  strip.show();
  Particle.function("sendColor", sendColor); //This function is used for testing.
  Particle.subscribe("pairA/has/newMessage", handler);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}


void loop(){
  int flex = analogRead(flexPin);
  //Serial.println(flex);

  //The variable state functions as a trigger to make sure the event will
  //be only be published once when the flex sensor is bent.
  if( flex <= 70 and state == 0){ // When the flex sensor is bent to one direction.
    color = "love";
    Particle.publish("pairA/has/newMessage", color);
    //This event contains the data "love" or rage. Depending on the data, the other person will recive a message from IFTTT.
    Serial.println("love");
    state = 1;
    delay(500);
  }

  if( flex >= 180 and state == 0){ // When the flex sensor is bent to another direction.
    color = "rage";
    Particle.publish("pairA/has/newMessage", color);
    Serial.println("rage");
    state = 1;
    delay(500);
  }

  if( flex > 50 and flex < 180 and state == 1){ // When the flex sensor is bent to another direction.
    state = 0;
    delay(500);
  }

  // int flex = analogRead(flexPin);
  // Serial.println(flex);
  // delay(1000);

}


//When receive a event, comparing the data with "love" or "rage".
void handler( const char * event, const char *data ){
  color = String(data);
  if(color == "love"){ //If data is "love", trigger the nexpixel breathing effect.
    digitalWrite(yellowPin, LOW);
    for(int n=0;n<=200;n+=8){
      for(int i=0;i<PIXEL_COUNT;i++){
        strip.setColorDimmed(i,20*i,10*i,100-i,n);
      }
      strip.show();
      delay(20);
    }

    for(int n=202;n>=2;n-=8){
      for(int i=0;i<PIXEL_COUNT;i++){
        strip.setColorDimmed(i,20*i,10*i,100-i,n);
      }
      strip.show();
      delay(20);
    }
  }

  else if(color == "rage"){  //If data is "rage", turn the led light on.
    for(int i=0;i<PIXEL_COUNT;i++){
      strip.setColorDimmed(i,0,0,0,0);
    }
    strip.show();
    digitalWrite(yellowPin, HIGH);
  }
}

Show Advanced Options

Move up Delete Move down

Untitled sketch bb

Show Advanced Options

You can upload files of up to 20MB using this form.

Add Rich Text Add Code Block Add Embeddable Content