Architectural photographer Ezra Stoller photographer the American skyline as it was being inextricably altered by geometric modernist towers rising in from its centers. In the midst of color photography’s rise, Stoller insisted on shooting in black and white. via butdoesitfloat:
United Nations, under construction (note the smokestacks from a now demolished manufacturing plant).
Artist Tom Beddard meticulously rendered 3D fractals shown below. We can’t tell whether they’re real, imaginary, or well, in the matrix…so why should you and why does it matter? via butdoesitfloat:
This project presents a method for synthesizing motions of a humanoid robot that receives an object from a human, with focus on a natural object passing scenario where the human initiates the passing motion by moving an object toward the robot, which continuously adapts its motion to the observed human motion in realtime. In this scenario, the robot not only has to recognize and adapt to the human action but also has to synthesize its motion quickly so that the human does not have to wait holding an object. We solve these issues by using a human motion database obtained from two persons performing the object passing task. The rationale behind this approach is that human performance of such a simple task is repeatable, and therefore the receiver (robot) motion can be synthesized by looking up the passer motion in a database. We demonstrate in simulation that the robot can start extending the arm at an appropriate timing and take hand configurations suitable for the object being passed. We also perform hardware experiments of object handing from a human to a robot.
We have a massive update on Cats of Engineering, we’re caught up and have added the latest rounds of cats. If you’d like to add your cat just scroll down to the bottom and send a photo (link) in! Pictured above: Missy guards her Arduino fireflies prototype.
I have gathered the bacteria samples from my own body. The bacteria consumed the film surface producing photographic images that are entirely created by a chance. I have been removed from the process but, at the same time, the images are a product of my body; self-portraits.
In celebration of New York’s Bike to Work Day, the team at Voltaic Systems mounted a 60 watt solar panel on the back of an old-school road bike and road the streets of the city, distributing a free charge-up. It’s good for everything from phones, tablets to laptops, as pictured. Via voltaicsystems.
Australian truck drivers entering too-short tunnels is enough of a problem in Sydney that they made this awesome water curtain and projection stop sign called Softstop. via Core77
The rig is composed of a Teensy++ 2.0, eighteen red LEDs, eighteen resistors, and a few bits of laser-cut plastic. LEDs are used to both illuminate the paper and sense the holes. The sensor design is based on the classic Arduino LED sensing code. It’s not very reliable, but it’s a fun afternoon proof-of-concept.
Inspire on the pantheon dome in Rome, the installation resemblance a cathedral of light, an art piece where the visitor is immersed in a 360º unique experience completely surrounded with light. The dome works as immersive environment when inside and as large scale sculpture when view from outside. The dome is made out of nearly 1000 spheres and LEDs that are used as a pixel, creating a volumetric environment with infinite patterns and possibilities. The Dome was presented at Coachella Music and Art Festival 2013 in Indio, California.
This weekend I attended the eighth annual Maker Faire with my son in San Mateo, Calif. The Maker Faire and the Maker Movement have gotten so large, it’s easy to take them for granted. In fact, after going four straight years, I almost skipped this year until my son begged me to go.
I’m glad he talked me into it. From the moment we walked into the Maker Faire and saw an art car covered with robotic fish and lobsters moving to the sounds of punk rock, I was glad to be there.
There was no one, jaw-dropping thing that struck me this year. Rather, what hit me was how much I see and hear about these things when I’m not at the Maker Faire. The greatest marvel this year may be the broader impact the event is having around the country, and indeed, around the world.
Ballroom Luminoso is a series of six brilliantly lit, color changing chandeliers. Drawing from the formal elegance of the freeway underpass and the cultural currents of the surrounding neighborhoods, the piece transforms a forgotten space into one that connects the community.
Each globe contains a custom-designed LED light fixture, which casts sharply detailed overlapping shadows. The chandeliers paint the underpass with complex color patterns and ethereal lighting thereby refashioning the space into a majestic ballroom-cum-shadow theater. Melding grandeur with a sense of neighborhood rejuvenation, the sculptures weld recycled bike parts into refined forms.
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