Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of our stuffed animals and toys coming to life, quite similar to the various toys from Toy Story. Having that vision in mind and after discussing my idea to a few classmates, I decided to bring some of Toy Story to life. My inspirations came from revisiting old children movies where all the objects and creatures were personified.

“Little Wonders” explores the idea of objects moving and interacting when we aren’t there to see the interactions exchanged. I loved the idea that we existed in a world with a more fantastical side that we may never be able to fully unveil.

Some of the technical challenges included trying to create a realistic interpretation of the “creatures'” movements. I wanted the movements to appear subtle so people would second guess themselves, but at the same time smooth enough so that they don’t appear as robotic as the servos. I added an easing effect to help ease the changes in movements. Another challenge was connecting the power chord to the teensy while keeping it hidden. In the end, I placed the shelf slightly between the two doors so that the chord can slip behind the shelf and between the doors inconspicuously.

 

 
#include 
int duration = 3500;

// metros 
Metro mouse1 = Metro (duration);
Metro mouse2 = Metro (duration);
Metro jaguar = Metro (duration);

//servos 
Servo sMouse1; 
Servo sMouse2; 
Servo sJaguar; 

// destinations 
int dm1_0; 
int dm2_0; 
int dj0; 
// destinations to be smoothed
int dm1_0_sh; 
int dm2_0_sh; 
int dj0_sh; 

float easing[] = {
  0.09,0.08,0.03};

const int motionPin = 0; 
int noMotion; 
int mouse1Motion = 0; 
int motionLevel; 

void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // pin 5 missing 
  sMouse1.attach(0); 
  sMouse2.attach(1);
  sJaguar.attach(2); 

  // intial destinations 
  dm1_0 = 0; 
  dm2_0 = 90; 
  dj0 = 135; 
  // intial destinations to be smoothed
  dm1_0_sh = 0; 
  dm2_0_sh = 90; 
  dj0_sh = 135; 

  noMotion = 0;
}

void loop(){
  motionLevel = analogRead(motionPin); 
  motionLevel = map(motionLevel,0,656, 0,100); 
  motionLevel = constrain(motionLevel, 0,100); 

  //motionLevel = 0;

  if (motionLevel < 20 ){     noMotion ++;      if (noMotion >= 100){

      if (mouse1.check() == 1){
        dm1_0 = random(0,180);

        mouse1.interval(random(200,800)); 
        mouse1Motion ++; 
      }
      dm1_0_sh = dm1_0_sh *(1.0 - easing[0]) + dm1_0 * easing[0];
      sMouse1.write(dm1_0_sh);

      if (noMotion >= 120){
        if(mouse1Motion >= 10){
          if (mouse2.check() == 1){
            dm2_0 = random(0,180); 

            mouse2.interval(random(300,800)); 
          }
          dm2_0_sh = dm2_0_sh * (1.0 - easing[1]) + dm2_0 * easing[1];
          sMouse2.write(dm2_0_sh);
        }
      }

      if (noMotion >= 150){
        if (mouse1Motion >= 14 ){
          if (jaguar.check() == 1){
            dj0 = random(90,180); 

            jaguar.interval(random(500,2000));
          }
          dj0_sh = dj0_sh * (1.0 - easing[2]) + dj0 * easing[2];
          sJaguar.write(dj0_sh);
        }
      }
    }
  }
  else{
    noMotion = 0; 
  }
  //Serial.print("motion: ");
  Serial.println(motionLevel);
  //Serial.println(dj0_sh);

  delay(25);
}