I am just beginning my second semester of graduate school in the Electronic Visualization/New Media program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I am beginning to draft new ideas for installations and will be posting inspiration, drawings, 3d models, thoughts, and ideas to this blog. I will be updating frequently. Here are the first set of conceptual models for a new series of robotic sound sculpture devices controlled by insects. I am hoping to use either zophobas beetles, North American millipedes, or giant drummer cockroaches in this installation. Conceptually I am still thinking about the application and lifestyles of these insects and how they play in to the type of sound I want these mobile sound devices to make. Unlike the model below, the mobile sound platforms will enclose an environment for the insects to healthily exist in (meaning the interior environment will not be blank, it will be covered with the natural plants and moisture levels that are needed for the insects to survive). The insects will control the movement of the mobile platform. This idea is still in the very early developmental stage. Below are the rough conceptual models with brief descriptions:

Conceptual model of the mobile sound bot being controlled by insects. This unit will likely be programmed using either the Basic Stamp or Arduino.

The top of the sound bot showing the speaker mounted at the top that will project the mobile sound. The poorly modeled blue capsules represent LED’s that will be illuminated when the platform comes in contact with a human.

Possible enclosure for the electronics. Tube coming from the top is a channel for wiring. The electronics and batteries visible are ‘place holders’ for the actual components.