Rage Bait Box

This project explores differences in the behaviour of a box object at varying distances. When first encountered, the box invites the user to approach it. If you stay further than 40 centimetres, it opens and plays a soft sound, with a slow flashing light, encouraging you to come closer. It waits for the user to come closer.

But if the user steps too close, the box abruptly shuts. In addition, its behaviour changes after the first interaction. It becomes chaotic rather than inviting, opening and closing at different speeds depending on how far away you stand. This creates a tense atmosphere between the user and the object - you want to come close... but how close is too close?

As the user loses patience with the box, they might attempt force it open or violently shake it. Maybe this is how you should deal with the box after all.

Materials

1. Arduino UNO R4
2. Ultrasonic sensor
3. Micro servo motor
4. Breadboard
5. Piezo buzzer
6. LED
7. Shock sensor
8. Wires

Box

1. Plywood planks
2. Iron rod

The idea for the project is to come up with something that reacts to how close a person stands to it. The box changes its behaviour based on distance, creating different responses as someone approaches or moves away. It explores ideas of boundaries and reaction, making the object feel responsive, although a bit useless.

1. Our initial plan was to use a sliding box that is controlled by a metal rod attached to the servo to open and close the box. However, the power from the UNO R4 was not enough to support such a movement and would just overheat the circuit.

1. We then used a pre-fabricated flip-top box that not only had more space for the sensors, but also was easier for the servo motor to push upwards, thus satisfying the concept.

1. A spring was added between the flap and the main structure of the box to produce a pulling force that guides the box to its initial closed state after being opened by the servo.

1. Holes were drilled on the sides of the box for the ultrasonic sensor and the USB-C wire that connects to the laptop.

The system reads data from two inputs: an ultrasonic sensor (distance) and a shock sensor (vibration).

If the box is shaken, it overrides everything and stays fully open for a short time, with a fast blinking light and a short beep.

If the box stays static, it behaves based on distance and modes of interaction.

Mode 0: First Interaction

1. If the user starts closer than 40 cm, the lid stays closed, and the system switches to mode 1.
2. If the user starts farther than 40 cm, the lid stays open, and plays a melody with slow LED blinks to attract the user.
3. Mode 0 only triggers once.

Mode 1: Normal Behaviour

1. If the distance is less than 40cm, the box remains closed.
2. If the distance is between 40cm and 100 cm, the lid slowly opens and closes, with a slow LED blink
3. If the distance is farther than 100 cm, the lid opens and closes faster, with a fast LED blink.

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/7EIEeKEu0Rd-neat-migelo/editel?returnTo=%2Fdashboard%2Fdesigns%2Fall&sharecode=Xmb13yJ3MK-KNp159YaRdAlCdriM8fc_HGrLHwD9TCQ

Here, we tested the circuit outside the box using a small object to ensure its functionality.

1. Due to the box's size and space constraints, the initial idea of an object popping up (e.g., a coin) when the box opens was not possible.
2. We could potentially design a box that allocates more space for the different counterparts of the design.
3. LEDs with different colours could be used to emphasise the stages at different distances.
4. Add multiple interaction stages beyond just two modes.
5. Use an external 5V power supply from either batteries or a power source to ensure there is enough power for the sensors and the servo.
6. Use a tilt sensor instead of a vibration sensor to simplify the shaking action by the user.
7. We could also cover the circuits in the box from the user to ensure that the mechanisms stay hidden from the user.

Overall, although size and power limits affected some of our original ideas, the project has a lot more potential for improvement. A larger box could allow more moving elements, coloured LEDs could better show different interaction stages, and adding more behavioural modes could make the experience feel more exciting. Using a stable external 5V power supply would also improve the reliability of the circuit. With these changes, the project could become both more expressive and refined.