Year
2018
3
Project Type
Speculative
Organisation
Royal College of Art | Imperial College London
Gizmo
Channeling inspiration from historical cabinets of curiosity we imagined a hand worthy of inclusion in such a collection.
Objectives + Challenges
Problem Statement
The challenge was to create a electromechanical design for a cabinet of curiosities.
Target Audience
Student cohort | Teachers | College visitors
Goals | Constraints |
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Process + Approach
Methodology
The team chose to take a highly experimental approach to development, with low analytical rigour due to the tight time frame, and the desire for a low polish feel to the whole assembly.
We quickly brainstormed a concept of an electro mechanical hand and set to work on how to construct this quickly with low resources.
To complement the engineering, we ideated on a half human, half wooden hand concept as something that would be found in a cabinet of curiosities. Something that would feel strange and outside the norms of the world. Something that would be shown off as an item of discovery or innovation.
This was a making driven project using the making process as the method of discovery for the final output.
Key Activities
We split the team in functions. My main responsibility was the creation of the fingers, and the overall assembly of the system into a display box.
Sketch development and many physical trials of materials and assembly methods were used to find the right design.
Once the right design was hit, we iterated to get a repeatable process and assembly
Tools & Technologies | Materials | ||
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Solutions, Deliverables + Outcomes
Final Output
We created a rather strange looking mechanical hand. One could see it as a steampunk or equivalent retro sci-fi concept of an attempt to restore someone's fingers. It could also be viewed more conceptually as a hand found in the forests somewhere that had been partially taken over by tree like growths.
The display was capable of actuating each finger independently to curl in or out.
Key Features
The key feature is the assembly of the fingers. Because we were not using the servos at all times, the fingers needed to stay extended and vertical without assistance. The brass sheeting was used to add rigidity and spring to the fingers.
In keeping with the aesthetic, a combination of pins and collars were used to keep the sheeting and fingers attached.
Outcomes + Comments
Outcomes
The project was generally received well when presented. The electromechanical system wasn't working perfectly at display time though. Additionally, there was feedback on the mixed level of polish to the final output. We may have taken the rough and ready styling too far and not polished it enough.
Lessons Learned
This was a great exercise in design by making. Rapid trial and error to come up with the right design.
Personal Commentary
I found this a really fun project overall. Taking on the finger construction was a good detailed but experimental project where I could work on my repetitive making and low fi assembly. This could easily be taken forward to create more interesting display hands and fingers for a visual need. It was a great piece of design fiction.
If I were to take the project on again, I would display the hand on a rotating pedestal to remove the need for a back mirror to display everything of the fingers.
Additionally, looking at better integration of the palm and fingers would critical. They don't work together perfectly and feel isolated from each other.
Finally, A proper electronics box underneath, perhaps with fully integrated sliders of dials to actuate them would give a level of polish for a fully complete display piece.
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