Sketching in Hardware Day 2: Jan Borchers

history of physical computing

PC + dumb sensor/actuator interfaces
- "it's nice, it helps you break out of the PC world, but it still gives you a very computer-centric view of the world"

Programmable boards with microcontrollers on them
- like Arduino
- "now you have something that you actually teach to do something" - you can if you want disconnect it and it can become autonomous

matrix for examining toolkits

• iCubeX - expensive, but it all works really well
• Phidgets - can also work, but still mostly hooked to desktop
• Basic Stamp -

• Make Controller and Arduino - moving beyond serial

Ubiquitous technology sketching middleware

iStuff --> iStuff Mobile
- iStuff was missing a strong input/output device for mobile settings (ie, the phone!)
- it's still really hard to program without a good GUI (Stanford's Exemplar is another approach to this)
- uses Max/MSP-like wiring between boxes to connect sensors to applications through the phone platform

Organic Interfaces

Arduino's limits
size and cost

• - 100s of units


• - create emergent swarming behavior


• - lightup clothing with independent nodes


• - give away to people for studies

so: proposes LumiNet

• wired network of intelligent pixels


• sensor dongles inject data anywhere into network


• for tangible education and simulation


• learning about tree data, wave equations


• wearable installations


• programming by infection (like Phil Levis' work)

where is the biggest spot for innovation?

Conversations
using algorithms from motes for updating
looking at Leah Beuchley's solutions for connectors and electricity
using multiple busses