“Things that Think” is a computer science course in which undergraduates and grad students integrate computation into moving toys and construction kits. The class also looks at the larger picture of how to design a new generation of expressive, playful, and technologically sophisticated artifacts for children. Co-taught by Mike and Ann Eisenberg.
Slap the clock, go back to sleep!
Sun-seeking sunflower automaton
The PvZ stuffed characters react by RFID sensors.
LEDs light up indicating Twitter traffic
First assignment: Rob Ives’ mini mechanisms
Jaws automaton
Mechanical Whac-A-Mole
Whac-A-Mole diagram
Wine glass orchestra
Drinking Homer automaton
Bike diagram
Bike on a treadmill
Mechanical Mario game
- Mechanical Sunflower: Instructable
- Plants vs Zombies Interactive Plush Toys: Instructable
- Cookie Monster: Instructable
- Octopus Simon Game: Instructable
- Turn Off the Alarm Clock (and go back to sleep): Instructable
- Topographical Colorado Twitter Map: Instructable
- Scrolling Laser Cutter Accessory: Instructable
- Mario Mechanical Automaton: video, details
- Drinking Homer: video, report
- Back to the Future: video, report
- Gremlins: video, report
- Golf machine: video, details
- Wine Glass Orchestra: video, report
- Jaws: video, report
- Dancing Guy: video, report