The Seminar provides students with an essential introduction to the world of open-source programming languages and physical computing, in order to create a synchronous and meaningful interaction between the physical and digital realms. After gaining the necessary hardware and software knowledge, students are able to integrate interfaces, visualising methods, data sensing, and actuation, to conduct more advanced research and architectural proposals with embedded technology.
Syllabus
Credits: Thomas Burns
In today’s world, we use countless electronic devices daily. Yet, many of us don’t really understand how they work. Often, these devices are designed more for use than for understanding, leaving us in the dark about their inner workings.
Enter the world of open-source. This approach lets us look under the hood, revealing how tech works and even allowing us to create our own customised technology.
In a digital age where gadgets and gizmos are the norm, understanding their heartbeat often feels like a distant concept. While we’re surrounded by technology, the blueprint of their magic remains veiled.
Welcome to a transformative exploration of the digital universe with The Introduction to Programming and Physical Computing.
What Awaits You:
- Dive headfirst into the foundational pillars of programming and the tactile world of physical computing.
- Familiarise yourself with the versatile Arduino platform, enabling you to bring ideas to life.
- Step into a hands-on lab experience, where you’ll craft devices that sense and respond to their environment.
By the end of this seminar, not only will you decipher the digital language of everyday devices, but you’ll also be able to dive deeply in this field and embed smart features in your studio projects.
Learning Objectives
At course completion the students will:
- learn the basic concepts of programming that will allow them to reach more depth in various Physical Computing topics as well as to jump to different programming languages;
- be able to sense the environment and act back through actuators;
- to develop smart apparatus that react to external conditions.
Faculty
Faculty Assitants
Projects from this course
Innovate to Elevate
Interactive Facade System Introduction Murr Tower, is a prominent abandoned skyscraper located in the city of Beirut, Lebanon. The tower was initially intended to be a luxurious residential and commercial complex. Construction began in the 1970s but was halted during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). The tower remained incomplete and abandoned for years, serving as … Read more
Flood Control
Using two primary sensors and actuators, a flood control system could be composed. The project’s intentions is to use water levels rising towards an ultrasonic sensor in order to initiate a servo motor that would essentially redirect water towards the soil moisture sensor thus activate a visual output ( a warning per se) through an … Read more
SMART EXHAUST SYSTEM
The increasing concern over indoor air quality has prompted the development of innovative solutions to create healthier living environments. In response to this, my Arduino project introduces a Smart Exhaust System designed to monitor and improve air quality. Utilizing the MQ 135 air quality sensor. CONCEPT The concept behind my Arduino-based Smart Exhaust System revolves … Read more
M3ow_M0de
Concept Automatic feeder for stray cats In today’s world, homeless animals are often invisible in everyday life and often suffer from the harsh conditions of urban life. Such homeless animals in many cities are cats, which have always played an important role in people’s lives, having a positive impact on our health and emotional state. … Read more
AQUA – HARMONY – BLISS
Harmonizing water treatment and thermal comfort to everyday living This project aligns with Design Studio G1, focusing on Metabolic smart prefabrication. The design concept challenges the incorporation of water treatment as a fundamental aspect of architecture and everyday living. The objective is to harmonize and repurpose water treatment into a thermal comfort system, integrating interactive … Read more
The Nest – Kinetic Sculpture
With Arduino being in the front leg to provide automation to a concept of Biomimicry. Applications – Animation made with Blender 4.0 Further Studies in-progress and will be updated promptly. Thank you
PupPlay Breeze
Using Ultrasonic Sensor and Water Level Detection Sensor to detect the various states of a dog at home, these are employed to control the operation of DC motor and Servo Motor concept All dogs around the world exhibit a dual nature; they’re incredibly joyful while playing outdoors with their owners but can feel immensely lonely … Read more
Rhythmic Walls
Concept Inspired by the artistic vision of Refik Anadol, the project seeks to reimagine the interaction between nature and humans through a digital lens. Utilizing motion and sound detection technologies, this interactive wall transforms human interactions with their environment into a visual and dynamic experience. It visualizes how nature and humans respond to each other, offering viewers an opportunity to forge … Read more
BOUNDARY CRAFT
Exploring Dynamic Privacy in Public Spaces through Distance Sensors and Servo Motors This project represents a captivating exploration at the crossroads of programming, physical computing, and spatial design. The central focus revolves around the utilization of cutting-edge technologies, namely distance sensors and servo motors, to craft an interactive partition module. The primary objective is to … Read more
PitPatrol™
CONCEPT I hate sweaty armpits. I hate having them, and I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy. Although sweat is a normal bodily function, it might be an insecurity for some.However, this worthless device will not come close to addressing the problem. But it might shame you into taking the proper actions. Introducing: PitPatrol™, … Read more
SnoreGuard: Better Sleep, Better Life
“Embrace a new era of restful nights, waking up refreshed and ready to conquer each day. SnoreGuard: Better sleep, Better Life.” The Snore Guard Wake-Up Assistant is an innovative device designed to automatically wake up a person who is snoring excessively during sleep. This device utilizes advanced sound detection technology to monitor the ambient noise … Read more
TrashTrek
CONCEPT TrashTrek is a technologically advanced dustbin, that offers a seamless hands-free waste disposal experience. The bin opens upon detecting someone in proximity, enabling users to effortlessly discard their trash without physical contact. It closes after a predetermined duration, reducing the necessity for manual interaction. Components Assembly Code PROTOTYPE Future steps Sorting System: Implementing a … Read more
BONSAI THERAPY
In the serene realm of miniature landscapes, where the art of Bonsai whispers tales of timeless beauty, a silent predicament often unfolds… As intrepid explorers set forth on adventures, their cherished Bonsai companions are left to weather the solitude, yearning for the tender care they deserve. These arborous masterpieces, carefully sculpted over years, find themselves … Read more
HARMONIC HARMONY
HARMONIC HARMONY – IR REMOTE MUSIC SYNTHESISER INTRODUCTION : In a symphony of technology, my Arduino project, “Harmonic Harmony” seamlessly combines the realms of sound and light through the enchanting collaboration of a passive buzzer, LEDs and the magic of infrared signals. This innovative creation transforms signals from an IR remote into a melodic masterpiece, … Read more
StropoSight
The system is designed to facilitate regular bird-watching opportunities through the observation deck. Distinguishing between average bird flights in the troposphere and migratory bird flocks in the stratosphere from the other layers of atmosphere, it focuses on capturing stratospheric and Tropospheric activity. LEDs on the observation deck signify flock distance, alerting bird watchers to arrivals … Read more
AUTOMATIC REVOLVING DOOR
Inspired by my personal experience, as a student in IAAC, there have been many times that I was carrying heavy materials and I was struggling to open the main door. Therefore, using the arduino program I wanted to make an automatic revolving door. When the Ultrasonic Distance Sensor detects an object from a specific distance, … Read more
Responsive Rainwater Catchment System
The Responsive Rainwater Catchment System (RRCS) is a proposed system to collect rainwater, reacting to environmental factors through sensors and actuators. The system is imagined as an inverted “umbrella” that is usually closed, and upon sensing rain opens and begins collecting rainwater. Reference: ThinkPhi It has as a priority to collect rainwater without blocking sunlight … Read more
EVERYTHING MUSIC
This project is based on my personal impression when I was a teenager in 2013. A Russian startup called “Playtronica” appeared suddenly in every public space in Moscow. The concept was that you can connect basically anything to the main board and, by manipulating the special program, your touch would create certain sounds. These “handmade” … Read more
“Cool As a Cucumber”
It’s easy to overheat. Whether you’re exercising, spending time outdoors, or even sitting in a poorly ventilated room, one can find their body temperatures rising to uncomfortably high levels. You might even experience heat stroke, dehydration, and other dangerous side effects from significant exposure to the heat. The concept of this device is simple – … Read more
Urban Pollution Mapper
CONCEPT The project was designed to be an urban furniture that maps the city’s pollutions: air pollution and sound pollution. It is a design installation that aims social awareness regarding the environment people are exposed to in big and busy city centers. The benches’ side lights, triggered by the air quality sensor, are always on, … Read more
SMART Sunlight Tracking Plant Pot
BRIEF The idea of the assignment is to use 2 sensors and 1 actuator in Arduino to create a working system. CONCEPT The project aims to create an intelligent plant pot system that employs sensors to gather environmental data, an Arduino to process and analyze this data, and a motor to physically adjust the plant … Read more
Pro-critter ventilation access system
Concept Ventilation systems are designed to move air, and they typically have filters to prevent large objects from entering. However, small animals can sometimes find their way into ventilation systems through openings or ducts. Apart from these closed ventilation systems there are also cases such as as industrial exhaust fans which are placed typically high … Read more
