Summary of the module
Interactive objects are physical devices controlled by microcontrollers using simple sensors and actuators. The module provides students with skills, knowledge, and experience of designing and prototyping interactive physical objects using contemporary microcontrollers. The module covers basic electronics, control circuits, sensors (analogue and digital), output (analogue and digital), microcontrollers, simple networking, and microcontroller programming using the popular Arduino open-source platform. It additionally touches on topics of interaction design and evaluation to provide a framework in which students can prototype and understand interactive objects.
Aims
Interactive objects are increasingly appearing in computing and interactive art domains including tangible computing and embedded objects. Understanding of the underlying principles and design of the interactive artefacts will stand students in good stead for producing innovative and engaging pieces of interactive physical objects. After successfully completing the module students will be able to create interactive physical objects that use sensors and actuators to interact with the real world autonomously or networked with other devices and controllers.
Syllabus
Teaching topics of the module includes:
- Introduction to Interactive Objects Design and demonstration or real life implementations.
- Introduction to Arduino kit and hardware components
- Programming refresher
- Analogue and Digital Electronics
- Further Programming Concepts
- Digital COmmunication and Interfaces
- Interactive Design Principles
- Building Digital System Blocks
- Sensors and Functions
- Four lab sessions on introductory concepts to arduino kit and sample exercises
- Individula group project in building and evaluating interactive objects
- Group project on applying interactive design principles