Arduino Research

Arduino



Arduino is a tool for the design and development of embedded computer systems. It can consist of simple open hardware designs for a single-board microcontroller with embedded I/O support and a standard programming language (this is based on the interface of Processing and uses C and C++ languages).

Arduino is low costing, flexible, easy to use for all people of all different backgrounds such as artists and hobbyists.

The example below displays some syntax of a simple command telling an LED bulb to turn on and off every few seconds. The code identifies the pin where the LED has been mounted and sets the digital pin as an output. Then the system sets the LED on and off.

WiFi (Rough Map) and Hertizan Space

WiFi Data

Wireless Communications has been a hot topic this week and Ben Reynhart (who works at Mutant Labs) began giving us a lecture in Hertizan Space. There are known devices which are capable of transmitting and recieving signals such as electro-magnetic radiation.

We went to investigate how this kind of idea would work in the outside world, how could something like this transform the way we look at Stonehouse?

One of the groups favourited areas is Royal Williams Dockyard. It's an ideal place to investigate how we could convert electro-magnetic radiation into something visually and graphically representable.

From the data we have collected in our selected area of Stonehouse, we have begun using WiFi enabling equipment such as phones and laptops to find how many WiFi signals we can find. We found alot of conclusive results that people in this part of Stonehouse use the internet alot and have individual internet connections belonging to various ISP's (Internet Service Providers). The common ones such as SKY, BT, Virgin and the infamous uncommon ones such as MASSBREWUP and Googanies-hair (possibly mobile devices with bluetooth activated..). We also found an open network which was named Hpsetup which wasn't protected and had a strength of 2 bars, so it is relatively useable by all of the people that lived in this area (especially section 1).

Here is a rough representation of the map to come, it will basically display different strengths based on my laptops status along in the area we selected. The more bars, the stronger the signal. The example shows all of the strength 2's in the area which was the most common signal strength in the area.

The Wonders of GPS (Global Positioning Satelites)

Global Positioning

The use of GPS devices has exploded with brand new ideas within the past 5-10 years, some are very handy and incredibly accurate, whilst others are not. Recent breakthrough in technology has given us some amazing mobile phones which carry GPS tracking capabilities such as the Google Android. With various applications, the phone can be wirelessly connected to a local satelite in the Earths upper atmosphere ready for usage. After a journey is complete, the data can be tracked using the google site (Google Latitude) which draws the map where you have been. Useful, but how useful is it for our Transforming Stonehouse Visit?

When conducting the task of GPS Mapping, we had to stick to certain rules which include:

-Turn left at blue signs.
-Turn right at red signs.
-Turn back at black signs.

These rules were not to difficult to follow as Plymouth is plastered with signs everywhere, so moving in different directions really helped the changes in data instead of just walking in a straight line constantly. There were slight inconsistencies with the results from the map (displayed below) which initially put the group off of using GPS Mapping in the final project, but it was worth testing.



Another example of a great piece of technology for similar jobs is this:
Clarion H.M.I. Clarion have designed this epic tool which acts as your normal GPS device for your car, but it is also designed to be taken out and can be used whilst walking around the town trying to find various hard to find destinations. Using the same idea as Google Android, it tracks where the user is going, but actually lets the user see where he/she is actually walking to. Not only this, it can be used as a media device to play music, video whilst on the go. In my opinion only three words describe this: I WANT ONE!

Personal Spaces

Personal Spaces

In this next part of the Stonehouse Project the group will need to establish an eye on the reactions to the General Public. This kind of study will mean going back out into the Stonehouse area and search for an area with a busy pedestrian area. Example of this would be Union Street.


The diagram above displays the personal space between myself and the distance which will have people walking by it. The concept of this is like a beacon tower sending radio frequencies, if this were visible to the human eye, then this would be just like it. Different reactions will most likely occur when the people walk close by as they will be trying to divert away from my personal space. Their personal spaces will also be changed when they change direction around my static position. When small paths are concerned, personal space will be breached further when the pedestrian will have to come in close contact within my area.



In this more detailed diagram it displays an example of the distance which maybe measured for the data. 10 meters is a proposed area for the personal space. From the centre outwards it would be 5 meters all around, giving the chance to collect sufficient data. Because most of the paths are less than 5 metres in length, it will be very interesting to see how the pedestrians reactions are when trying to pass whilst trying to avoid walking on the main road.

It will also be interesting to find out how people in this area react in certain areas such as bus stops, shops or simply waiting for someone. This area is fairly dangerous, especially at night due to vandalism and crime. So the local people may look cautious during the day; constantly looking over their shoulders just in case. When I first visited Stonehouse, it was mainly elderly pedestrians and middle aged people walking to work, waiting at bus stops or visiting the local shops and cafe's. It was very busy in Union Street, but Cremyll Street was busy aswell. This is where I encountered most of the elderly population. They seemed to have known the area long enough to know how to react to personal spaces and being safe in this rough part of Plymouth.

Chosen Site - Projection

Location
The group have found a very interesting site to conduct the task of Projection.

It's located just south of Cremyll street within a protective area. This protective area holds fairly pricey flats with secure car parks with walls surrounding the area and the sea casting as another barrier behind the building. To get into this area there is a gate which keeps this place away from the run down parts of Stonehouse.





Ideal

This location is purely ideal for projection because of the buildings shape and Symmetry which is perfect for projecting various effects on the surface we have found. The huge chimney in the centre of the building helps create the symmetry by dividing the building in two.

Projection Concept

Using Photoshop I have created a little concept example of what the projection could look like... Depending on the colour filters used within the projector to produce special effects on this historic building. I have used special filter effects such as water ripples to produce a feeling that the windows are made out of water. Using artistic and distortion filters I have been able to fill the other windows and parts of the structure with different effects to create a special mixture of textures. Colours used are from using adjustments such as colour/balance and hue/saturations to create a visual glow. I have also used layer styles such as the motion blur in the background to keep the viewer focussed on the building.

Collaborated Map

Collaborated Map - Group Effort.

This map is the collaborated effort from the group. Combining all of the groups efforts into one single map. By layering the maps together, we have created a super map which is designed to drag everything together to share our ideas in the strategy to find out our main project.

Identifying Key Areas

Today I have created a map displaying the areas of my key thoughts when entering the Stonehouse area. From my initial point of view I have keyed areas from Dangerous/Cautious areas, to the calmer areas where little activity (criminal, social) occur in everyday life.

My initial plot is similar to the older maps that I have created using spray paint ideas to identify quality of buildings and street areas. However in this map I have targetted social/political change and this mainly helps identify which areas are more 'dangerous' to be in as others will not be so bad in terms to social climate and crime rates.

Key in more detail:

Naval = Blue - Peaceful, not so much social climate, richer area and contains the Social club.
Cremyll Street, Durnford Street, Strand St. etc = Green - Cautious, has a mixture of upper and working class.
Union Street and surrounding areas = Red - Dangerous, especially at night. Lower classes, higher crime rates.

I am currently planning on creating a crime level map which can identify key areas of the whole of Stonehouse which has the highest and lowest crime levels.