Below is our entry to the GE+Story - Making Things Competition. The winner had a very similar idea but simplified..Video available here - http://bit.ly/RhuBY3APERACTIVE is a chance to observe
and participate in the act of making as an iconic display of the revolutionary
possibilities of designing with modern prototyping and manufacturing processes.
Walk by Aperactive and it reacts to you. Aperactive will showcase STORY and
GE’s mission to ignite a passion of MAKING THINGS with the world by
illustrating how technology is influencing the way we make things today with
the use of rapid prototyping, advanced manufacturing and software integration.

Aperactive’s design is based on
mechatronic research (mechanical electronics) to create an operable aperture
system that interacts in real-time based on user distance and proximity.
Aperactive addresses a compressed deadline by its modularized components that utilize
a kit-of-parts to form a seemingly complex, yet easy-to-build dynamic window
display that engages users both passing by and those in the store.

Aperactive operates using
infrared sensors to detect user presence from side-to-side and up-and-down. The
system simultaneously reacts by rotating panels within each module’s six 3D
printed arms using actuator motors that are directed by a singular
microcontroller. With 28 modules in all, Aperactive spans across Story’s north
window to draw users into the space to make interactive, engaging designs of
their own. The design will be fabricated using CNC milling, laser cutting, and
3D printing.

Aperactive is composed of 7
panels with 4 modules per panel that are all part of a modularized system. This
allows for more than one configuration of the panels and the ability to use
less or more in different venues. Aperactive’s panels stack on reconfigurable
metal stands which allow for more selling opportunities.

Aperactive uses a microcontroller
to direct actuators that control the six arms which rotate after a user is
detected in range of view with an infrared sensor that will work through the
glass storefront. As a user approachs, rotation of the arms speeds up in
real-time creating a truly interactive experience. Each of the six aperture
panels opens for views into Story, exposing the action going on with the GE
Garage program.

Aperactive allows for many
different configurations using a kit-of-parts for each module configuration. Aperactive
modules are sandwiched between two pieces of plywood that form a hollowed
cavity to conceal its electronic parts which are necessary to create the
interactive component of the design. A
framework of wiring works its way around the aperture openings in order to
connect the different components. Each module has wiring that is grouped with
it’s neighbors down its hosting panel traversing out at the bottom of the
installation with a shrink wrap wire concealing system.