Final Plan 

Our group decided to our physical interface looks like bamboo drum set, so that each bamboo pole sounds like one of the chinese bamboo instrument. In this way, we are trying to create natural and organic sound using digital interactions. The picture below is not the final outcome, but it will look like something like that.

We are trying to embed each ultrasonic distant sensor in each bamboo pole, and we will put a breadboard and an arduino inside the bottom stand.

Final Budget

Prototype 

Drum Set using Arduino and Range sensor

Play test questions:

• What are your thoughts on the functionality of this “drum set”?
  • Is it easy to use?
  • What suggestions do you have for improving the functionality of this piece?
  • How do you feel about the use of a loop vs. an individual sound?

Feedback:

• Overall, respondents were ok with how the drums functioned because it’s activated by motion rather than by touch
• One suggested change included adjusting the distance/range of the motion sensor so that motion is detected a little further
• Generally respondents preferred the loop sounds are best for the purpose of this piece
• Easy to use
• Another suggestion was to create a bigger sound the farther away your hand is such that the volume increases or decreases depending on the distance from the sensors
• A third suggestion was to have the rhythm continue when the hand is removed; continues where the loop ended when hand is in range again
• Can we ensure that the sensors should be in unison in terms of speed
• Is there a way to make sure that someone doesn’t hit the instrument?
  • Can we create a visual that indicates hand motion

Possible revisions to the design based on feedback:

• Name the device so that users are less inclined to use motion instead of touch to activate the sound
  • Motion drum
  • Movement drum
  • Create a visual to accompany the piece indicated how it is used
  • Adjust the so that motion affects the volume of each loop and motion is detected from further away

Playtest sample video: