Physical Computing 2008
Course Introduction
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
1/23
Course focus
The course focuses on materials and methods used
within interaction design to combine hardware,
software and physical materials into working
prototypes.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
2/23
Learning aims (1/2)
Understand the importance of prototyping in
interaction design.
Find possible hardware and software to use in
prototypes of computational things.
Identify suitable physical and smart materials and
understand their design potential.
Understand basic technical specifications of
electronic components.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
3/23
Learning aims (2/2)
Perform basic programming of micro-controllers
connected to sensors and actuators of different
kinds.
Define and realize communication between
microcontrollers and ordinary PCs.
Build prototypes that through the use of software
and hardware can respond the surrounding world.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
4/23
What you will learn
Dealing with central design materials in interaction
design, and ways of prototyping at various levels
of detail and functionality.
Using materials means: sensors, actuators, and
the electronic and computational elements that
enable and control real-time user experience.
Understanding how hardware, software and other
materials can be combined in the design of
computational things for human use.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
5/23
Course plan
Week
Topic
Activity
36
Introduction
37
Basics of electronics & related design
Resistors, capacitors...
Basics of electronics & related design
Transistors, piezo, soldering...
Interfacing digital & physical worlds, pt. 1
Arduino, sensors, actuators...
Interfacing digital & physical worlds, pt. 1
Serial communication, MIDI...
Interfacing digital & physical worlds, pt. 2
Musical interfaces, software...
Interfacing digital & physical worlds, pt. 2
RFID... + catch-up labs
Materials & craftmanship
Intelligent textiles
Materials & craftmanship
Wood, metal...
Prototyping methods & evaluation of tech.
Arduino vs. bx-24...
38
Sept.
39
40
41
Mini-project,
Oct.
42
Mini-project, cont.
Mini-project, cont.
43
Exam week
44
Start of study period 2
Catch-up labs
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
6/23
Lectures
Lectures will give a basic understanding of the
subject of physcomp by giving an overview of the
field, of various key projects as well as design
approaches to the combination of computing
and material.
Lectures take place in general on Mondays
and/or Wednesdays between 10-12, with
occasional exceptions
(see on-line schedule – watch for updates!)
Place: IT-University, room von Neuman or other.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
7/23
Lab exercises
The main part of the course consists of
lab-based tutorials where students get
hands-on experience of physical
computing by practicing working with
electronics and materials of various kinds.
Lab exercises are mainly scheduled on
Mondays 13-17 and Wednesdays 10-17.
Additional workshops will complement the lab
exercises
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
8/23
Home assignments
Participants are required to complete home
assignments before each course day.
These assignments consist of literature readings,
individual research of information about certain
topics, as well as test questions to hand-in prior to
their corresponding lab/lecture.
Assignments will be handed-in on paper or on the
course wiki.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
9/23
Extra activities (1/2)
The course also includes extra activities that will
take place outside of the regular schedule and will
not be graded.
These include guest seminars, guest workshops
or visits. Students are also required to attend
the physical computing oriented meetings
Dorkbot that take place in the city, as well as
relevant seminars at other institutions.
Optional: Pecha-Kucha + Third-Thursdays
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
10/23
Extra activities (2/2)
Seminars and workshops will mostly take place on
Mondays or Wednesdays between 17-19, but other
activities might happen at other times of the
week, depending on events and disponibility
of guest-teachers. All activities will be
announced on the website and by e-mail in
good time.
Although not grade-oriented, these activities
are obligatory unless otherwise specified.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
11/23
Self-study time
If needed, one lab space is available for
self-study time on Mondays and Wednesdays
between 17-19.
During those times, the space is required to be
kept reasonably silent in order to create a good
study environment.
The other lab space is available at the same time
for finishing lab exercises, if necessary.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
12/23
Catch-up labs
At two occasions, students who have not
completed a lab exercise will get the opportunity to
catch up on them.
First catch-up: Friday 26th Sept.
Second catch-up: Whole week 43
(20-24 Oct )
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
13/23
Course website
www.cs.chalmers.se/idc/ituniv/kurser/08/physcomp/
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
14/23
Course text book
T. Igoe, D. O’Sullivan, Physical Computing: Sensing
and Controlling the Physical World with Computers
(2004), Thomson Course Technology, Boston, MA,
USA.
Compulsory chapters/pages
to read are indicated in home
assignments.
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
15/23
Teachers
Morten Fjeld (MF), course responsible
Ph.D., Docent, Chalmers
Lalya Gaye (LG)
M.Sc.Eng. Physics, KTH
Ph.D. student, Göteborg University
Ole Ravnsborg (OR)
B.Sc. Electrical Engineering
Research Engineer Chalmers
Lena Berglin (LB)
Ph.D. student, Chalmers and Borås
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
16/23
Teachers
Ole
Morten
Lalya
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
Lena
17/23
Exercise acceptance
Exercises are presented individually at the end of
each day, Monday and Wedneday
One of the teachers accepts the exercise result by
giving accepted and a grade (3, 4, or 5)
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
18/23
Assignments acceptance
Home assignments are handed in before each lab
exercises. They must be handed the following way:
Before Monday exercises: Friday 16 PM
Before Wednesday exercises: Tuesday 16 PM
Assignments are done individually
Place: In hand-in box in one of the studios and/or
on course wiki, depending on assignement
Home assignments must be accepted
to take part in an exercise!
(no electronic hand-in)
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
19/23
Questions and course e-mail
Please raise questions when you are at the
IT-University in the course
If really not possible, you may use the course email: [email protected]
This e-mail goes to all teachers
Answer follows on next course,
if urgent per e-mail
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
20/23
Student representatives
Three to four student represenatives
Two meetings during the study period and one
after.
Each student representative receives a small
compensation
You may address questions and feedback through
the student representatives
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
21/23
Previous teaching in this area
2008-09-03
Dr. Andreas Kunz © 10/2004 inspire
icvr
22/23