SMEI
Physical Pixels
by on Apr.23, 2009, under SMEI
Concept: Making a morphing 3d screen is not a new concept and various attempts have been made by designers, architects and artists to visualize this idea in different forms. Inspired from a pin-screen, I intend to make a screen which can extrude itself from it’s flatness to create forms and shapes using robotics and electronics. These forms and shapes in essence resemble stone relief work and murals which as an exploration of surface has been used by sculptors in the past.
The vision of making a computer assisted screen which can make complex shapes and forms has for some reason not been explored to its full potential. One can imagine various uses of this technology. For example- a display system - futuristic T.V which can change forms at the same pace as the video, a wall which can change it’s form as per desire or even as an art wall where various artist could use it to create there own 3d dynamic mural, an interactive surface which could respond to movement of the people, an architectural element- where the floor can change it’s configuration and form different layouts during different time of the day.
Working: The cross section of the wooden block determines the resolution and its length the depth. A computer program let’s you control the movement of each block and governs the extent to which it will move in the 3rd dimension. Depending on the speed and size of the motor driving the wooden blocks the time required to achieve a result could vary. Depending on the intent, the screen could generate one specific result over time or continuously be in motion making patterns.
Initial working models
Circuit for stepper motor
Technical details: Prototype for Physical Pixels has 9 blocks placed in a square grid. I custom made my own linear actuator which drive the block forward and backward using a DC motor. Depending on the RPM of the motor the bolts turn at a speed moving the block from one point to the other in a specific time. In this prototype the block moves about 50mm in a quarter of a second. Higher the RPM on the motor the faster refresh rate is achieved by the screen, but if RPM is slower more precise movement of the block is achieved. This entire setup is run on one microcontroller (modern devices), 3 shift registers and 5 H-bridge chips. 9 DC motors are run on external DC power supply. Program used for this prototype was built on Arduino.
Final Exhibit
Final Prototype
Physical Pixels in action
