IOTOM: Atom-Inspired Building Blocks
Inspired by atom structures and coming to the middle ground of human-assembly objects and self-assembly objects, we use magnetism as connectors to realize computer/human-assisted assembly. Building blocks with programmable on/off magnets create a dialog between the user and the material. Data-driven shapes allow versatile applications.
Technical Overview: We build three blocks, two truncated cones and one cylinder. Each of the truncated cones is embedded with an electromagnet on the faces, and the cylinder are embedded with two metallic disks on the opposite faces. The electromagnets turn on every fifteen seconds.
Applications:
-Computer-Guided Assembly
-Telepresence Assembly
-Construction Telepresence Assembly Feedback Mechanism
Related Works: M-Blocks, Topobo, Triangles.
Team: Meryl Fang, Thomas Sanchez Lengeling, Manisha Mohan, Penny Webb and HyeJi Yang
Final Presentation Slides: MAS.834 Project 2 Presentation
Final Paper: IOTOM_Paper