Fugu
Project overview: My intent for this project was to create a device that would enable young children to conquer their fear of the dark. As a soft product, it was important to also include new technology that wouldn't interfere with the user's experience.
Fugu is a stuffed blowfish that reacts to its owner’s input, through the use of an RFID reader and corresponding tags.
The intention of this project was to create an object that interacts with children through the use of sensor technology. I chose to develop a stuffed animal to give confidence to little kids who are afraid of monsters under the bed, or things that go bump in the night.
Fugu is a stuffed blowfish that blinks its fins whenever his embedded RFID reader comes into contact with a corresponding tag. Whenever the child hugs Fugu, the RFID tag embedded in his pyjamas is read by the RFID reader in the belly of the fish. Fugu reacts by blinking LEDs sewn into his fins in an ordered sequence.
The pattern for Fugu includes a pocket for the electronic components, which are powered by a 9V battery. Two clusters of orange LEDs lead into the fins and connect with an Arduino microprocessor and breadboard.
The Parallax RFID reader is situated directly in the belly of the fish, and is connected to the Arduino via the breadboard. The Arduino is programmed to react to one specific RFID tag and runs a blink program to light the LEDs in a metered pattern.
Fugu is a stuffed blowfish that reacts to its owner’s input, through the use of an RFID reader and corresponding tags.
The intention of this project was to create an object that interacts with children through the use of sensor technology. I chose to develop a stuffed animal to give confidence to little kids who are afraid of monsters under the bed, or things that go bump in the night.
Fugu is a stuffed blowfish that blinks its fins whenever his embedded RFID reader comes into contact with a corresponding tag. Whenever the child hugs Fugu, the RFID tag embedded in his pyjamas is read by the RFID reader in the belly of the fish. Fugu reacts by blinking LEDs sewn into his fins in an ordered sequence.
The pattern for Fugu includes a pocket for the electronic components, which are powered by a 9V battery. Two clusters of orange LEDs lead into the fins and connect with an Arduino microprocessor and breadboard.
The Parallax RFID reader is situated directly in the belly of the fish, and is connected to the Arduino via the breadboard. The Arduino is programmed to react to one specific RFID tag and runs a blink program to light the LEDs in a metered pattern.