BIO-KINESIS

Bio-kinesis was proposed as a soft kinetic architectural skin that represents natural, formative intelligence. This would be new possibilities for the kinetic skin by interpreting mechanical movements as holistic, biological dynamics.

Bio-Kinesis is an interactive kinetic installation consist of a hundred silicon rubber modules running on pneumatic robotics. This performs soft, dynamic movements through morphological transformations based on a genetic algorithm. Each module is inflated and deflated by minutely controlling the air pressure through a microcontroller and solenoid valve. Each module then possesses a hundred microcontrollers, which are connected by I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) in order to support bi-directional communication between the modules. This work continuously models the heterogeneous aesthetic patterns of living organisms, emerging from the numerous interactions between modules that are enabled by a self-organizing evolutionary algorithm. 

However, when this installation detects bodies in close proximity, it instantly responds by inflating and following the motions of the viewers. If viewers move away, then it reorganizes itself accordingly. In this work, we endeavour to translate mechanical movements into holistic, biological dynamics through morphological transformations enabled by computational algorithms. This project works across multiple layers in order to provide the impression of living, evolving phenomena: it involves not only the mechanical and the biological but also highlights the intermediary layer between them that is capable of interpreting the differences between the two. Moreover, the application of eco-friendly soft-kinematics that use pneumatic robotics can be considered as an alternative to kinetic architectural facades.

This moves beyond past precedents of relying on mechanical actuators that consume enormous amounts of energy. Thus, this work will provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the nature and morphology of movement, as well as a sensory, affective experience through the interaction between the work, the viewer, and natural kinesis.

Skin Design

This work creates the impression of living creatures moving like active organisms, inflating and deflating through the continuous self-organisation of each module.

After producing a mould with a 3D printer, mould the pneumatic module by pouring silicon (mix two part of EcoFlex). Combine pneumatic module into frame module(Plexiglas).

System Design

Each module is inflated and deflated by minutely controlling the air pressure through a microcontroller and solenoid valve. Each module then possesses a hundred microcontrollers, which are connected by I2C in order to support bi-directional communication between the modules.

More: http://en.davincicreative.org/exhibition/1147

Assistant Professor: Jae Wan Park

Team: Hybrid Media Lab (Minwoo Kim and Sunghye Jo)

(funded by Seoul Art Center of Geumcheon of about GBP 23,000 for 6 months)

Exhibition: 2013 Da Vinci Idea Exhibition - The Blue Hour: Boundary between Functions and Aesthetics.

Fall 2013 @Soongsil University

Copyright © 2012-2018 by MINWOO KIM. All rights reserved.