Architectural Robotics (MSCD Project II) 9 units TR 3:00 - 4:30

mark d gross (mdgross at cmu), with shaun moon (moon at cmu)

Buildings with moving parts have been around since the door was invented, but recent advances in materials, microcontrollers, sensors, and other information technologies have ushered in a new generation of responsive buildings. Reconfigurable walls, color controlled illumination, windows made opaque by flipping a switch; these are elements of the new building yard. How shall we take advantage of these remarkable capabilities to craft a vision of future living?

Together we will: (1) review past and current buildings that employ robotics technologies (2) become familiar with technologies relevant to responsive buildings; and (3) design and construct working prototypes of architectural robotics systems. We will read and review relevant literature as well as work in the laboratory to build working project prototypes. You will (learn and) apply simple analog and digital electronics, programming, and physical construction.

Grading: 60% weekly assignments (work+portfolio); 30% project; 10% class participation