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| The Polite Umbrella | ||
|---|---|---|
| Author(s): | Joo Youn Paek |  |
| Instructor: | Schneider, Michael | |
| Class: | Introduction to Physical Computing | |
| URL: | http://itp.nyu.edu/~jyp243/PCOMP/umbrella_9.mov | |
| Documents: | The Polite Umbrella(JPEG) | |
| Keywords: | protection, fashion, living art, personal space vs. public space | |
| “The Polite Umbrella” is a shrinkable umbrella that enables users to morph its shape in order to reduce occupied space and to increase user maneuverability. | ||
| “The Polite Umbrella” project is about an interactive umbrella that respects people’s personal space in a public area. A user can easily adjust their umbrella anytime by pulling a handle so that one can protect themselves from harsh winds or bumping into others. The shrinking movement is immediate and is capable of morphing shapes to that like of a jellyfish. Additionally, graphic images printed on the umbrella have animated effects which create gestures of politeness such as bowing or hand gestures. Furthermore the umbrella also has readable quotes related to good manners in order to initiate communications. | ||
| Background: | What are the unpleasantites of walking in a rainy city? Getting wet, the humidity, the cold and busy street. Is there a better way to overcome this hectic environment? We have umbrellas to protect our body from soaking moisture as well as to create personal space in the public, however, at the same time, problems arise from limited space. Walking with an umbrella is disruptive when you have to pass through a crowd. Also, when the sidewalk is not wide enough to carry each person’s umbrella space, you have to maneuver the umbrella so as not to collide. What if we can shrink our umbrellas to the available space as we wish? Can we respect others by shrinking the umbrella to redefine our own space? Can we amplify nice manners in gestures by controlling the shape of umbrellas? Can we bring smiles and create humor in a chaotic gloomy day? | |
| Audience: | Anybody who uses an umbrella. Especially in the city streets. | |
| User Scenario: | A person carries “The Polite Umbrella” in a busy street during a rainy day. When the person encounters a crowd on a narrow sidewalk. The person immediately shrinks or adjusts the umbrella with a simple control in the handle. As the graphics on the umbrella fabric move along the shrinking process, people around the person can enjoy the animation. | |
| Technical System Description: | The key element of “The Polite Umbrella” is the strings. The strings are attached at each end of the umbrella frames then gathered on the topside of the umbrella pole. The strings are then inserted into the shaft then brought down to the handle part for the user to be able to pull down in order to shrink the circumference of the umbrella. Since a certain amount of power is needed to pull the strings, the technique of smoothness, less force and a convenient handle is an important matter of mechanics. For that solution, I am using pulleys, nylon coated stainless steel string and hand made wooden handles. As normal umbrellas are designed to be easy and portable, the production goal is to make a quality product for people to conveniently use for everyday life. | |
| Conclusions: | The activity of using “The Polite Umbrella” is for protection from weather, preservation of personal space, maneuverability, amplification of gesture, visual expression and fashion. It can also be used for visual communication, sharing humor with others in a public space. | |