Eyeris: Bionic Goggles

Eyeris is an electromechanically actuated model of a human iris with programmable sensitivity to stimuli like displacement from an object and ambient light.  It spawned from my findings one summer afternoon while digging through trash bags at a local lab cleanout.  I was lucky enough to find a high-quality iris aperture that needed a home.  After months of debate, I was determined to make some awesome goggles, and so I give you: Eyeris

Step 1: Materials

Some things you might need to make your own pair of bionic goggles are:

* 1Iris Aperture (1 9/16" OD, 1 1/8" aperture diameter)
* 1 brass gear with a diameter larger than your iris aperture's (2 1/16"
* 1 brass gear with a diameter smaller than your iris aperture (1" or smaller)
* 1 small stepper motor
* 1 ultrasonic rangefinder (I used an SRF04)
* 1 large photoresistor
* 1 ATmegaX8 family uC (48, 88, 168, or 328)
* 4 2n7000 or equivalent mosfets
* 1 LM7805
* 1 100K potentiometer (optional)
* Ribbon Cable
* Male and Female breakaway pin headers
* Pipe with the same OD as the aperture
* Black thread
* Elastic Band
* Perf Board
* 12V Battery or power source

Tools:
* Bench Grinder
* Super Glue
* Needle - straight or curved work
* Soldering Iron

Caveats:
* You can totally do this with two iris apertures!  Adjust your materials appropriately
* The mosfets (2n7000) can be replaced by almost any other fet, or even BJTs.  If you're going to use BJTs, Don't forget to put 1K base resistors.
* The battery can be anywhere between 9 and 12 volts.  I used an 11.1V LiPo battery.

Comments

[Jagbassjosh]

If I may, I am a fan of steampunk, and, even when not necesarily in steampunk character, per se, I usually wear a pie hat, (you know, popular in the1880's-1920's) and it has a lot of unused room at the front. Is there any particular reason you couldn't putthe controller chip in the hat?

[Improviz]

This is a great project, but with the lathe action in several places, probably beyond the scope of many of us. I, too, am eager to see the video!

[Leejin]

I would also LOVE to see a Video of this in action...

[Leejin]

Wow, I commend you on this awesome project. I'm wanting to start a similar external geared iris set of goggles. I'm actually considering a small 12v Servo from something like an RC plane with a simple switch. I would LOVE to have the photo sensor on it, but your level of knowledge in electronics is far beyond mind. My mind went blank and I started to drool as I was reading your programming of the step motor board.

Anyways, thanks a ton. This is a great project!

[bongodrummer]

Awesome. Can't wait for the video. Thanks for sharing.

[shaggs31]

This guy looks like a Borg.

[pilotneko]

This is really great, can I make a suggestion? Why not use a pair of linear polarizing filters, where one is rotated against a fixed one? It'll be just as fast, but you won't have the field of view loss associated with closing an iris.

[jacobmyers]

Video? Where? I'd love to see this creation in action!

[caitlinsdad]

Superglue + cotton = fiyah! Never tried but looks cool on youtube. You'll take an eye out.

By the way, my bike was stolen after you guys showed up at the NYC Maker Faire. Silver colored Schwinn....wait...

[The Ideanator]

This is very neat, you have my attention. I wish I could find some irises like the one you have there, I'll have to poke around the local camera shops a bit and hope I get lucky.

[Kiteman]

Outstanding.

Can't wait for the video - I hope you'll be in full steampunk'd grandeur ...