FINAL PROJECT: Phase 1, Proposal

PROPOSAL
For my final project, I would like to create a “sort of robot” companion. I’ve always enjoyed looking at the cute little robots that people on the internet make, and have always wanted a robot pet. However, robot pets are very expensive, so I want to see what I can do with what I have. I want to create a robot that responds to touch and levels of light. I want the robot to react to sensor information with its own light and sounds. I want the robot to companion and comfort during times of stress. I want the robot to provide a glow when in darkness and to “purr” in some manner when touched.
 There will be many things I have to consider with this project. I want the robot to be responsive, but not so responsive that it is annoying. I want the robot to be able to be appreciated from afar and up close, so I have to figure out how to manage response levels. I will have to work with photoresistors for this project, which are fairly fickle so I will have to figure out how to smooth and calibrate them. I also have to consider what material I want the robot to be made of. I’m thinking a sort of rubbery plastic, that is semi-translucent.
 I have experienced a lot of stress during the course of this semester, but I’ve never really qualified for a therapy animal. I think that these types of robots would be really helpful for the stresses of everyday life. I, however, do not want this pet to overpower the healing capacities that real therapy animals are capable of providing. I think that there are some miracles of nature that are unnecessary to try and replace. I do not believe I have the computational power with Arduino to replace the bond between man and animal anyway, so I don’t think this will be something I need to worry about. I want to do this project because I think it will provide some great stress relief for me, and after what I’ve been going through I think I will need it. Not only that though, but it will challenge me to think of Arduino in a more organic fashion, where I’ve only been using Arduino for entirely mechanical purposes in the past.

EMPATHY MAP:


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