A Mega Programmable Interactive Robotic Surface (AMPIRS)

The idea of this research is creation of a mega programmable interactive robotic surface, dynamically responsive three dimensional surface that configures in real-time according to input from a variety of input sources (movements sensors, sound signals, video signals, maths data generated within the controller etc). As such, it can be thought of as a three-dimensional surface or screen, but one that can be attuned to its surrounding environment, creating the potential for a physically responsive surface which has also attracted the attention of innovative architects for its use in various architectural structures. It may also be used to display text or images, responding rapidly enough to be able to map the movements and sounds of people. Therefore, it can function alternately as a tactile mirror, an information surface or a multi cavity mould. This talk will focus on the system design and novel control architecture that enables large numbers of pneumatic cylinders to be controlled in a highly coordinated manner to create complex 3D shapes. This system is referred to as a mega programmable interactive robotic surface (AMPIRS) similar to hundreds or thousands of Stuart platforms working together to create a single large complex surface.