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The Robotic Table
Setting
The robotic table setting
is constructed on top of a wooden table. Tracks cut into the table
allow the utensils, plate, and glass to move via mechanical appendages
that are controlled by a robotic system mounted on the underside
of the table.
The robotic system
consists of a motion detector, a range finder, 3 Basic Stamp
chips, 3 stepper
motors and 2 servo
motors.
The Plate
A hole has been cut
in the center of
the plate and the space of the hole has been replaced
with an elastic fabric.
Underneath the elastic
fabric is an asymmetrical shape that moves up and down in
conjunction with the top projected
video of the meal
being eaten. This up and down movement of the asymmetrical
shape against
the elastic fabric
creates an optical illusion of the projection
having real substance
and volume - adding to the realism of the simulated dining
experience.
The Utensils
The utensils are
controlled via
a simple mechanism above the table,
which is connected
to a motor and chip control system below the table. Using
a single pivot
point, wire, and
3 motors, the utensils
have 2 degrees of freedom, up and down and
forward and back.
These 2 degrees
of freedom create a simplistic approximation of the wrist
movements
of a human while
eating. This allows the knife and fork to
interact with the
surface of the plate and the projected video of
the meal being
eaten - suggesting that they are really taking part in the
cutting and
ingestion of food.
The Glass
Through a hole
cut into the
table the glass is connected
to 2 motors that
move the glass up and down and a circular motion.
The movement
of the glass corresponds to a glass in the projected video
of the meal being
eaten. Throughout the course of the meal
the glass is
lifted, spun, and placed
back down on
the table several times. The glass can also
tip over, and be place
upright again |
