Robotics for the Artist

Faculty: Adam Brown (Art)

TA: Josh Southerland (Computer Science)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

How do computers interact with the physical world? What if computing and automation were not limited to mouse, keyboard and the screen? This course is a hands-on exploration of the artistic use of circuits and robotics. How to build robots for artists is designed to empower artists/students with abilities to use and apply the electronic circuit to their creative work and research. Students will learn the basics of circuit building, implementing sensors and actuators and the use of microcontrollers.

OBJECTIVES:

This is a fast-paced, "learning by doing" lecture & laboratory course. Each week lectures and demonstrations presented during the class sessions will prepare you to undertake a related "lab" assignment. The course will be divided in four sections: Basic electrical principles, Circuit Building, MicroControllers and the use of code. Each section will be accompanied by a series of labs and or assignments designed to inform the creative process as well as to provide the skills necessary to work with electronics.

CONCEPTUAL NOTEBOOK:

Students are required to keep a notebook. This is a place to keep your ideas, concepts and homework assignment responses. Notebooks will be turned in once a month for evaluation.

Grades:

Projects and labs will be evaluated on the basis of :

  • technical and conceptual quality

  • development throughout the course

  • timely completion of the labs and projects at the specified due date

  • willingness to act on criticism

SUPPLIES:

  • **Required
  • Book - Physical Computing: Sensing and Controlling the Physical World with Computers, Dan O'Sullivan and Tom Igoe 2004, Thomson Course Technology PTR; ISBN: 159200346X
  • Elenco 9880 WK (Breadboard + jumper wires)
  • Elenco CK-1000 Basic Parts Kit
  • 9V battery (anywhere) or 9V DC 800mA Power Supply (Radio Shack #273-1770)
  • Adoring USB board (ATMega168) available at Sparkfun
  • **Optional
  • Tools (see book), can be purchased at Radio Shack, Jameco, DigiKey or elsewhere
  • Soldering Iron & Solder
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Wire Strippers
  • Diagonal Cutters

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