for Paul Badger's DmRobotics course at RISD Digital Media, Fall 2006

The Robot that wants to be free, 2006

Found chair, Found light bulbs, custom electronics and sensors, aluminium, steel. 2' x 1' x 4'

A robot constructed largely from objects found in the garbage is tethered to the wall by the power chord that supplies it with energy. Whenever it is plugged in, the robot stumbles awkwardly to freedom, inadvertently "killing" itself in the process.

See the video of the robot in "action"

Process

the first iteration of the light bulb robot is simply a plywoodand mdf light sensing robot

look closely, that's electrical tape holding that wiring together!

the second iteration is made of steel, aluminum and plexiglass, with steel legs instead of plywood wheels. this should be robust enough to walk the chair