project09:Virtual Prototyping
Contents |
Why virtual?
The aim of virtual prototyping was a means of testing the logic. The virtual platform is very apt for testing kinematics or simulating the laws of physics to test a dynamic structure. Controlling the structural dynamics through a smart phone were also explored.
Kinematics
The use of plug-in Kangaroo for Grashopper proved effective in simulating simple behavioural kinematics in dynamic structures. Though the idea was to make the dynamic body a rigid structure, it was not possible in time, and instead will be explored in the coming days. The example shown here uses springs instead. Thought the springs have a rest length that is equal to the original length, the rigid members still expand and contract, thus incorrectly simulating a rigid object.
touch OSC
The idea to integrate and give power into the user's hands was evident from the start of the project. To evolve the idea into reality, an application called touchOSC was used to communicate data from the smartphone to the virtual model. In this case, the coordinates of force applied was translated from the phone to the computer.
Next
Kinematics
Truer simulation of kinematics of the dynamic system is the next step, through means of hinges replacing the springs that are present. The hinges would make the system a rigid body and the simulations will be accurate.
Sensors
Other sensors and stimuli are to be explored. Sensors that may be embedded in the surface of the structure to be explored. The structure is right now controlled, but over time, an emergent behavior of the system is preferred, and to incorporate this, we need to embed appropriate sensors.
