In the last week, we have made some progress for the project. The first update is that we have changed the project’s name to Whispers following the feedback from the storyboard discussion. This new name highlights the interaction and the experience we want the participant to have when they interact with our project in the desert: see, find, and hear the whispers of the lamp and the desert.
Technical Designs
Technically, we have accomplished and tested different components we will use individually. Here’s the detailed list:
- NFC Reader and Tags
Considering feedback we received, we have decided to change the idea of inserting the keys to the lamp to trigger the stories to using NFC tags and reader. Now, the user will touch the cubes scattered around with the lamp to trigger the stories. To achieve this, we use Adafruit PN532 Breakout Board, essentially a NFC reader board. We also use NFC tags purchased online. We start by writing different messages to the tags to differentiate them, which are “Red”, “Blue”, and “Green”, corresponding the colors of the cubes. Then, we tested the breakout board to see if it can reads and prints the correct messages. Lastly, we used the internal RGB LED on the M4 Express Board to test if the messages can control the light correctly. Here’s a video of the working version:
- Breath light effect, diffusion effect, and light sensor
We also experimented with the breath light effect that will be used in the scattered cubes. We use Neopixels strip to achieve this. And both the lamp and cubes will only be turned on at night, we use the light sensor. The light sensor will sense the light of the environment and only turn the light on when it’s dark. The cubes will be made by transparent acrylic boards, and we will paint them to show some designs on it. Because the cubes are currently not painted yet, we used a prototype for the lamp to test the lighting, as shown in the video.
- Lamp design
We have also finished the design of the lamp. The lamp went through two versions. The first version was like the one in the video above. We realised that this design was too small to fit all the electronics in. Then, we designed the current version, which features a flat bottom for the NFC reader to be able to sense the tags, and a relatively big body that can contain the M4 Express Board, NFC reader, speaker, light sensor, neopixels, and battery. Here’s the current design (the other half is still being printed):
- Stories to be played in the lamp
We have also written the scripts for the stories that will be played in the lamp when the user touches the lamp to the cubes. The three stories correspond to three cubes, and they cover topics about the desert’s creatures, plants, as well as humans. With these stories, the project will not only be an immersive art installation, but also an educational experience for people to learnt more about the desert and its rich cultures and biodiversity.
Cube 1: The Secret of Desert Creatures
“The first secret lies in the creatures of the desert, unseen but ever-present. The fennec fox, with its enormous ears, listens to the whispers of prey under the sand. The sandfish lizard moves like water, swimming through dunes to escape predators. And high above, the desert falcon soars, its sharp eyes scanning for movement. Each creature is a master of survival, using agility, patience, and precision to thrive in this unforgiving land. But what secret do they hide? Their existence reminds us that adaptation is the key to resilience.”
Cube 2: The Enigma of Desert Vegetation
“The second secret belongs to the desert’s plants, the silent keepers of life. Beneath the dunes, the ghaf tree sends roots as deep as 30 meters to find water, standing tall against scorching winds. The cactus swells with moisture, defending its treasure with sharp spines. And the saltbush thrives where others cannot, pulling life from the soil itself. But what do these plants whisper to us? They teach that strength is found in stillness, and that even in scarcity, life finds a way to flourish.”
Cube 3: The Legacy of Desert Tribes
“The third secret belongs to those who have called the desert home for centuries. The Bedouins, guided by the stars, move with the dunes, never against them. They weave homes from what nature provides and travel with their companions—the camel, the ship of the desert. Their songs tell of the desert’s beauty and their stories of survival, unity, and gratitude. But what treasure do they hold for us? They show that harmony with the environment is the ultimate wisdom.”
When all three cubes are found
“You have unlocked the secrets of survival, endurance, and harmony. The desert, though harsh, is a teacher of life’s greatest truths. Its creatures adapt, its plants endure, and its people thrive through unity. Take with you the wisdom of the sands, and now make a wish and take me back to where I was found. I will grant your wish.”
Description of Interaction
Here is the update description of interaction:
At night, the lamp will have mysterious breath light that attracts the traveller. The user then picks the lamp up and touches it. The lamp will be activated and play instructions. Following the instructions, the user will then take the lamp, which will have a flash light turned on, and find the cubes scattered around. The cubes will also have breath light and should be easy to find. After they find one cube, the participant puts the lamp onto the cube. When the lamp senses the cube, the lamp’s light will change to the color of the cube to indicate successful sensing. Then the lamp starts to tell the story of that lamp. When the story finishes, the lamp will go back to its own color, and then the user will take it to the next cube to listen to the next story. When all three stories are told, the lamp will ask the participant to take it back to where it was found and to make a wish, which serves a magical ending to the experience.
Next Steps
Next week, we will be working on the following things to ensure the completion of the project for the field installation.
- Loudspeaker
- Touch sensor (capacitance)
- Put everything into the lamp (compact design)
- Finish laser cut and paint three cubes
