In the second series of exploration iterations, I started to create the WYSIWYG functionality again: allow users to directly program the robot to behave like they want. As a platform, Glowbots (REF) were used, robots with a LED display on top of them. Creating direct signs that directly manipulate/indicate the robot’s behaviour was the goal again.

Eventually, simple shapes were developed that could be placed over the robot: squares, circles, triangles and lines. The robot would then display this shape on the LEDs. When the shape was rotated, the displayed shape would start to rotate as well. Empty robots placed near a shaped robot would copy the behaviour, allowing multiple displays to be programmed. Finally, a ‘blocking’ shape would reset the robot again.

The coupling between sign and behaviour is obvious here: programming of different shapes is simple and straight forward. The interpretation of the signs is simple as well; only simple behaviour can be programmed. This exploration already shows the complication and challenge of more complex behaviour: the ‘copying’ behaviour has no sign at the moment. How could it be made more clear that two shapes copy each other? If this line of reasoning is continued, the real challenge becomes visible: programming complex behaviour using these clear, physical and direct shapes. How would an ‘if-then’ situation be handled, for example? That is the goal of the next exploration: using this platform of Glowbots to explore signs and complex behaviour.

4d, end-user programming, exploration, glowbots, Prototypes Hide