Bob the Lamp was a project that developed from the idea of creating an everyday object that could be used to physically show digital data. Bob connects to the BBC news feed, reads the latest headlines and reacts physically to the content. If the news is bad Bob hunches over and omits a blue light. When the news is good Bob stands tall and glows yellow.
As well as reacting to the news Bob also has a web page where people can log on and chat to him. Compliments make him happy and criticisms as expected get him down. The idea is the control of an everyday object is taken away from the user and placed elsewhere. Bob as a result becomes a link for the user to the ups and downs and goings on in the world outside.
Bob has been presented at the ICA for BD4D and at Futuresonic in Manchester.
Skills used
AS3, Processing, AVR Microcontrollers (Arduino and C), Electronics design and build
