Storybug

Storybug is class project for MAS.960 Design for Empowerment. We are exploring the use of simple programmable hardware like the Arduino to tell stories. Specifically, we are interested in using physical characters linked to virtual worlds to do this. In this project, the main character is Storybug, a small bug that has the ability to visit new worlds by travel through time and space&.

In actuality the Storybug is a specialized Arduino platform that reads the state of a landing pad. This state is then sent to the programming language SCRATCH to be used to tell a story visually within the scratch language. To send messages from the Arduino platform to SCRATCH, a custom program was written in processing to pass messages between the two. For more information about the technical aspects of this project, we have generalized and presented them in another Instructable:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Send-Messages-to-Scratch-from-an-Arduino/

This Instructable focuses on the construction of the Storybug and the landing pads described. For a video demonstration of the project, check out Storybug traveling to different worlds:
http://www.vimeo.com/6722934

Step 1 Parts Used

Materials:
Foam Core Board
Matte Board
Craft Foam Sheets
Styrofoam
Arduino
Steel Sheatmetal
Googly Eyes
Hot Glue
Wood Glue
Conductive Paint

Tools:
Soldering Iron
Razor Knife
Scissors
Tin Snips