Heartbeat

Heartbeat was a project that I had thought out quickly in the introduction to Project 1. I planned to reuse leftover code from the previous 200 Media Interactivity class, which utilized an ultrasonic sensor to trigger different sounds. I hope to replicate it in a different form that reflects my personality. The plan was to make an ultrasonic sensor as a promising sensor to change the heart rate using sound and a servo motor, which is something I don't remember using before. I used Rhino 3D to create the initial model, which took some time to print. Upon testing the speakers that came with the electronics kit, I found out that they lack the sound to produce a high enough volume for an audience to hear. I have to use a speaker with a 3.5mm mic jack to achieve the right volume, which leads to another problem... I didn't have the time to redesign and paint the new model to accommodate the speaker, which creates a weird, small bridge in the back of the model. Lesson 1: Test everything at least a week in advance for any changes, especially those involving 3D printing. Initially, I wanted to place the piece in the middle of the room. Still, I changed it to be placed in the corner because I wanted to imply the effect of wanting to be alone and isolated. Additionally, there's only one ultrasonic sensor, so the audience would not be able to go behind the piece if the heartbeat were not reacting. One thing that I didn't expect was the anthropomorphism comments on the piece. I half-expected the love analogy, but anthropomorphism is a funny and unique critique. If I wanted to expand on this piece, I would create a full-size plastic human that reacts to the proximity of others, suggesting something living to add to the piece.

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