Cardboard Creatures are creatures made of paper, cardboard, papier mâché and iron wire that are animated with motors and an Arduino microcontroller.
In each group, students build their own creature and learn to program it with simple visual software.
The starting point is the robot "Carcass" from choreographer Ugo Dehaes' performance Simple Machines.
The making of these Cardboard Creatures is done per class or group in several steps.
1. Learning to work with the Arduino.
An Arduino is a microprocessor. Think of it as a very small computer that, when you turn it on, performs only one task. In our case, that will be a series of movements devised by the students. An Arduino is programmed through a computer. The simplest way is through the software mBlock (downloadable or available online). In this software, it suffices to slide blocks under each other to program a whole series of movements.
The program is simply loaded into the Arduino via a usb cable. As soon as it receives power, it executes the code in a loop.
We work primarily with the computer in this step.
2. Playfully explore how servo motors work.
A servo motor is a special motor that you can turn until it reaches a certain angle. Once this position is reached, the motor stops and waits for a signal that indicates to which angle it should turn next.
On the basis of a number of exercises we will learn to use the servo motor in different ways.
For example, by attaching cardboard directly to the motor you can rotate an eye (cardboard disc).
By connecting a piece of cardboard with an iron wire to the motor, you can move it from a distance. We use the principle of leverage to make movements larger.
We alternate tinkering with creating code on the computer in this step.
3. Imagining and Creating a Cardboard Creature.
Once students have an idea of the different possibilities (software, mechanics, etc.) they can begin to design and build their Cardboard Creature.
The Creature can be flexible by using iron wire and papier mâché. By attaching motors to this Creature, we can design movements. The Creature can also be stiffer, made of cardboard, with moving parts (e.g. a wing that can flip up and down).
With rods, stretchers or strings, we can animate these moving parts.
In this step, we work on a plan and execute it together while tinkering.
4. Programming Servos.
When the Cardboard Creature is built, we return to the computer to animate it.
Step by step, motor by motor, we decide how each part should move.
We learn to think analytically, breaking down larger movements into smaller pieces.
5. Exhibit your Cardboard Freak during BOZE WOLF 2023!