Humanity versus Robotisation: an Interactive Exhibition that Triggers Contemplation
Delft University of Technology - Project: Interactive Technology Design.
Mehdi Jonker, Petra Salaric, Rosan Foppen, Cynthia Ko
In a world where we keep striving to become better, both physically and mentally: where do we draw the limit? What are we willing to sacrifice? Will the consequences of our choices affect our fellow citizens, and will this influence our choices for or against certain enhancements?
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We used Speculative Design principles to immerse users in an interactive exhibition experience, staging the procedure of futuristic robotic lung enhancements at Van Nelle Robotics, Rotterdam. The project aimed to trigger contemplation about how far one should or could go to enhance oneself, at the expense of their humanity.
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I was mainly responsible for: exploring insights and building the exhibition prototype.
Design for Interactivity
The final design incorporated various dimensions of interactivity. Exhibition visitors could interact with the prototype with various actions (touching, breathing, pressing buttons) and received feedback through vibrations, speech and light elements.
 Full interactive prototypeLED feedback was fully automated through sensor-input. |  Initiating 'bodyscan'In order to immerse the visitor into the context, a 'bodyscan' was staged. |  TS_ITDEXPO2018 286.jpg |
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 Weighing optionsPros and cons of each 'lung module' were communicated through LED feedback, sound and textual features on the prototype. |  Implication for societyVisitors were urged to think about what their choices meant for their city, and could choose to proceed with their lung enhancement or abort the operation. |
The exhibition experience
Design by Doing
This project distinguished itself by its agile prototyping procedure. For 10 weeks, we made and tested a new paper prototype each week (within a day). This allowed us to nuance our desired interactive experience and pinpoint which vital aspects of 'humanity' would trigger contemplation.
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In the end, we chose to focus on three human rights: the right to vote, the right to move freely, and the right to reproduce. Through the exhibition experience, one of these rights would be compromised the more they decided to 'robotise' themselves through lung enhancements.
What did I learn about?
Design research: speculative research through 'futuring' techniques, analysing the 'brand' of a city.
Prototyping: preparing laser-cutting files, assembling the prototype, electronics (Arduino and Max studio), sound manipulation.