Jump the Moon - Art-Bots

Team: Brooklyn Beck, Zackary Burrell, Caleb Garnica, Cody Jones, Maddy Vogel

Sponsor: Jump The Moon Foundation

Project Definition

Art is a form of communication, self-expression, and creativity that everyone should be able to participate in. Jump the Moon provides an innovative space for people with disabilities to create art. This project provides a way for those with limited mobility to create unique art using robotic technology.

Goals for the project:

  • Build 5 art-bots that can create art using a variety of art mediums.
  • Create controls for each art-bot that are easy for people with diverse sets of abilities to use.
  • Build an arena where the artists can create collaborative art pieces using the art-bots

Design Description

The project is divided into 3 main subsystems:

  • Controller: Artists can use a custom-designed handheld controller or an Xbox Adaptive Controller with the users' choice of joysticks or switches.

    Controller

  • Robot: The robot subsystem includes the internal electronics, an outer shell, and an art medium holding device.

    Robot

  • Arena: The robots operate within the confines of a specially produced arena that keep them in the working area. All arena materials are sourced from recycled materials.

    Arena

Performance Review

The first art-bot prototype was evaluated using the set of design criteria illustrated in the table below

Criteria Prototype Performance
Is the art-bot functional? Yes
Is the controller intuitive/adaptive? Yes
Can the art-bot create art? Yes

The first prototype was tested by allowing 12 of Jump the Moon’s artists to create a collaborative piece of art. The team collected the following feedback to improve the final design of the art-bots:

  • Use a rechargeable Lipo Battery rather than disposable batteries.
  • Include LED lights inside the art-bot shell.
  • Design a method for the art-bot to hold multiple art mediums at once.

Conclusion

  • All three goals of the project were successfully met: the team designed and built 5 functional art-bots, 5 adaptive controllers, and an art arena.
  • Several art pieces have already been made using the art-bots.
  • The controllers for the art-bots can be easily adapted to a variety of setups to accommodate for the unique needs of the users. Any setup with a USB port may be able to control the art-bots
  • Future work on this project may require electrical engineers. With an electrical engineer on the team, Jump the Moon would be able to produce more complex and individualized robots.