When we hear about accelerometers we think of the iphone or the G1 phone but an accelerometer measures the acceleration and gravity it experiences and can be used to sense inclination, vibration, and shock. They are increasingly present in portable electronic devices and video game controllers.
The Harpbot invented by Symbiotic Media student Jesse Harlin has eight motors that are placed above eight strings with corresponding visual feedback LED’s. Hanging in front of the Harpbot are two glowing eyes, that immediately turn off when touched or jostled, sending signals to the motors and strings. Each eye possess a dual axis accelerometer and the Harpot is tuned to a Japanese pentatonic scale.
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