Lumiere

Shang, Mei-Yun, Avalon

http://www.cmlab.csie.ntu.edu.tw/~zho/

Introduction

Studying and writing in a well-luminated environment is very crucial for our eyesight and sitting posture, especially for children. While adults are good at setting a comfortable working environment, children seems more careless on this issue. If kids keep this bad habbit working under dim light environment through their adult life, this may cause some serious physical damage.

Design

• We use webcam to detect hand position and then evaluate illumination of the environment and direction of light source.
• The look of the lamp is inspired by emotion design. Emotion design can meet functional need and it is more close to human mind. Also, characterized objects are helpful in teaching young children because they can generate emotions and connection from children. In this case, children are more willing to use this product as their study pal.
• Webcam captures image and transfers to computer, and sensing on the pen can help locate user's hand.
• Computer use the data to calculate hand location, illuminatino of environment, and direction of light source.
• The computer sends instructions to the light and control where the lamp goes

Software

Hardware

• Pololu Serial 8-Servo Controller
• HiTec HS-422 Deluxe x 2
• Webcam
• Lamp

Result

• Arm is too short to rotate from one side to the other.
• If with a longer arm, the servo is not power enough to raise the it.
• The light of Lumiere is not bright enough.
• The idea possibly work !