For my project I want to make something that I recently found out is called a useless box. What it is is a box that has a switch on top of it. When this switch is flipped a “creature” will flip the switch off and go back to hiding in the box. I’m sure that there is a decent amount of commentary that can be demonstrated with this that I will look further into. For example, it the creature could be a reflection of my inner self when I just want to be alone, or the box itself can be an analysis of how we are continually advancing technology, but in many applications using it in pointless ways. Another way this could be looked at is that as we use technology more and more we become more and more separated from society staying within our own box. I want it to at first glance to reflect it’s name. I want it to be cute and funny, but all the while to be useless. It is my hope that it gives the appearance that whatever is inside actual has feelings.  This way, the useless box can act as a companion or just an interesting way to kill time.

Figure 1: Wall-e

For the final product I want it to retain its uselessness, but I want it to have a feature that makes it seem alive, similar to if Wall-e wanted to take a nap in this box, but you kept opening the door. I hope to be able to code it so that there are multiple reactions that will have every time the flip is switched. For example, at first it will just flip the switch back. Over time, it will get more annoyed or try to get you to stop.

I was inspired to do this particular project through a long series of changing the idea that I wanted to have for this project that can be seen in this link https://www.aesdes.org/2016/02/24/inspirations-for-project/. Primarily, I was inspired by the concept of pranking and how it is more of a comedic joke box than anything. In addition, there are many variations to the product like the one can be seen in figure 2. However, most of them only have the one function of flipping the switch closed. As mentioned earlier, this product will hopefully be more fun and interactive.

Figure 2: Original Useless Box

The most difficult part for this project will definitely be the electric and programming component. I have little experience in this area and it is an absolutely necessary component to the product. In addition, the overall design of the internal mechanics may end up being difficult, but I am looking forward to the challenge. In order to overcome some of the difficulties with the physical aspects of it, I will most likely make many sketches and possibly prototypes as well. I can start by making wood prototypes and have a final product made of either plastic or metal.

In terms of cost, I do not expect this to be a terribly expensive project. The Arduino circuit board I plan on using for the electrical components should cost approximately $10. The plastic or metal materials will be relatively small and shouldn’t cost upwards of $30. Finally the remainder of the electrical components should be about $5-$10 depending on complexity of the parts. For my timeline I hope to be done ideating sketches and very basic models by the week of March 7th. That way I can order anything I need to and will have my materials the week before spring break. By the end of the week after spring break I will be done with my critical parts and my first prototype. I will continue to work on the project and testing and revising will be done by the presentation date.

The video of my presentation can be found through the following link: (Sorry the majority of it is sideways)

https://youtu.be/ezOUd3nk0Nk

 

Sources:

[1] http://pixar.wikia.com/wiki/WALL%E2%80%A2E

[2] http://imgur.com/gallery/4HCQHWk

[Featured] https://www.reddit.com/r/perfectloops/comments/36n35s/pointless_box/