Machine Thinking » art

Robotic Privacy Curtain

William — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:45:10 +0000

My workshop is located in an old storefront with a big window facing towards the street. In an attempt to create more privacy inside, I’ve decided to install a small but smart curtain in that window. The curtain is smaller than the window, but an additional surveillance camera and an old laptop provide it with intelligence: The computer sees the pedestrians and locates them. With a motor attached, it positions the curtain exactly where the pedestrians are.

The whole setup works really well. But in the end, it doesn’t protect my privacy at all. It seems that the existence of my little curtain is leading itself ad absurdum, simply by doing its job very well. My moving curtain attracts the looks of people which usually would never care about my window. It is even the star of the street, now! My curtain is just engaged. And because of that, it fails.

He publishes is plans and software on his website

Possibly Related Posts:

MechaniCards

William — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:42:18 +0000

fantastic!

MechaniCards™ are miniature, hand-operated, kinetic sculptures, designed and produced in limited edition by Bradley N. Litwin. Each one is hand made, numbered and signed by the artist. They are constructed primarily from paperboard, with a few bits of wood, metal, or plastic. They make excellent gifts, and are suitable for mailing, as truly unique greeting cards. Each piece comes with complete instructions and display recommendations. They are also available as do-it-yourself construction kits.

buy some – MechaniCards

Possibly Related Posts:

The Sound Sculptures of Zimoun

William — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Zimoun : Sound Sculptures & Installations | Compilation Video V1.5 from ZIMOUN VIDEO ARCHIVE on Vimeo.

Swiss artist Zimoun creates kinetic sound sculpture installations which often use repetitive elements to magnify the impact of the sound characteristics.

Possibly Related Posts:

Amazing clocks of Clayton Boyer

William — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:46:29 +0000

Clayton Boyer has designed and built a number of exceptionally beautiful and artful wooden clocks – and sells the plans to make most of them. Some of the videos are made by customers who have completed his designs and I can assume that Clayton is not personally responsible for their choice of music.

Clayton’s youtube channel with more videos

Possibly Related Posts:

Kinetic Steam Works tests Pappy

William — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:59:14 +0000

The Old Engine That Could from Gaelle Faure on Vimeo.

A few weeks ago my industrial arts collective Kinetic Steam Works tested our traction engine, Pappy. Yours truly makes several appearances and is seen far right in the preview image above.

Possibly Related Posts:

Kinetic Sculptor and animator John Douglas Powers

William — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:47:33 +0000

Field of Reeds from john douglas powers on Vimeo.

Lullaby from john douglas powers on Vimeo.

Work-Family-Self from john douglas powers on Vimeo.

I am the Crescent Moon from john douglas powers on Vimeo.

John Douglas has produced a number of wonderful kinetic sculptures and animations available on vimeo

Possibly Related Posts:

Beautiful, working wooden Vespa

William — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:38:29 +0000

Carpenter Carlos Alberto of Portugal has made an absolutely stunning vespa out of wood. Links to lots of great shots here.

Possibly Related Posts:

“This Is Where We Live” papercraft animation

William — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:48:10 +0000

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.
UK book publisher Fifth Estate made this wonderful video to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They write:

The film was produced in stop-motion over 3 weeks in Autumn 2008. Each scene was shot on a home-made dolly by an insane bunch of animators; you can see time-lapse films of each sequence being prepared and shot in our other films.

Possibly Related Posts:

Astounding papercraft from Haruki Nakamura

William — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:51:12 +0000

See more of his creations here

Possibly Related Posts:

ABC3D – best pop up book I’ve ever seen

William — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:22:32 +0000

Abc3D – video powered by Metacafe

Watch the video and then buy it here

(via)

Possibly Related Posts: