Final Project Proposal

For my final project, I want to explore daily everyday actions exemplified through machine. More specifically, I want to have a figure of a man perform an action, such as walking and sweeping a floor with the help of two servos. There are two particular reasons behind why I want to create this sort of project. First, I was inspired by an artist who we discussed earlier in the year, Arthur Ganson, who is well known for his work with machines such as “Machine with Wishbone”. I have seen this particular work before and was always fascinated with the complexity behind what looks like a very humble and simplistic piece of art. I personally find this a very enjoyable feature in art because it really makes me analyze really how elaborate even the simplest of motions really can be. What I think allows me to really think about intricacy of movement in “Machine with Wishbone” especially is how slow the whole piece works. One could really spend time at looking how all the wheels interact with the spokes the wishbone is attached to and how the whole machine works together. In a way, I want to capture a similar idea, focusing on the true complexity of what seems like a simple human action, such as walking and sweeping. I want the motion of my piece of be similar to that of “Machine with Wishbone”, focusing on slower, more methodical movements to achieve the same effect. Secondly, I want to focus my final project on using servos, a piece of technology that I want to study more. The primary features of my last two projects were LEDs and lighting and I would like to gain more experience in servo motors and present the knowledge I have already learned about them during class. Additionally, I want to use servos to help create reactions between each component of the body, which in this case is a drawing mannequin. Servo motors will help me create more controlled and slower movements, which is an important aspect of my piece.

The object I will have performing the action is a drawing mannequin, sweeping with a broom that would be scale to the “person”. I will need to use the Arduino to have the servos work in sync with each other to make the drawing mannequin sweep and walk without the broom hitting the foot and potentially causing the mannequin to fall off balance. The mannequin’s feet will be attached to two propellors of servo motor underneath it. Additionally, I will have a platform piece of wood in between and around the mannequin’s feet that will conceal the servo. There will be a second servo will have two propellors, with one attached to each arm as well. The motor will be propped on top of a box that would measure up to approximately the mannequin’s shoulders. The Arduino and breadboard will be concealed under the platform.
Questions:
1.What are some materials you might suggest for the platform or other components?

2.I was thinking about using servos similar to the one we have in our Arduino kits. Would you suggest different sizes?

3. Is there anything you might think I should add to this project that would help present my idea better?