is a group of identical artificial plants with sensing, communication, recognition and interaction abilities. They can actively sense, organize and propagate the status of visitors in the field, eventually, provide visitors intuitive interaction experiences in terms of diverse lighting and deformation effects.
For six months from the end of 2010 into 2011, the Taipei Flora Expo was a vast international horticultural event. In the Pavilions surrounding lush flower fields, there were events dedicated to exhibiting how technology could mimic nature and interact with people. Asus Design Center was invited to take part in the Flora Expo, in a hall called the Pavilion of Dreams.
BEHIND THE SCENE
Concept
The core idea of the Pavilion of Dreams is based on the theme of coexistence, aiming to discuss the interconnectedness and inseparability of humanity and nature, humanity and the environment. If plants can be like animals, if they can react when a person draws near, will it give us a better chance of noticing their existence? Our creations are a collection of artistic works that have the ability to sense their surroundings and interact with people.
We discovered creatures in the natural world that have the appearance of self-organization. When a group of them are together, they can sometimes create interesting things; for example birds flocking together, conjuring unique patterns in the air. Another example is of small fish schooling together to scare off larger predators. This kind of self-organizing behavior gives birth to an emerging “swarm intelligence”. We incorporated this idea into the design of the Florabots.
Shape Design
Our inspired designers created many different and interesting concepts for the Florabots, for example mimicking the shape of aloe vera or the form of a jellyfish. After drafting a proposal, the designers used paper models to simulate the possible movements of their creations, trying a variety of tests.
We used Computer Aided Design to build and simulate the original designs, allowing the designers to visualize the complexities of their designs, while also examining the physical limitations of their concepts.
FLORABOT
The Florabot, is a digital plant that can sense and mimic how living creatures react to local stimulus, while also translating its reaction to the rest of a greater, group organism.
For example, stand close to one of the Florabots and its light will then ripple through the crowd of Florabots. The Florabots contain actuators, sensors and calculation units that altogether allow an ‘expression of feeling’ when stimulated by either music or human proximity
Naturally the Florabots come with their own theme tune (who wouldn’t want one?) that they react to with a wave-like dance of color and shape change.
In order to demonstrate the range of colors and forms required, at a high-enough frequency (25Hz), the ‘bots' were meticulously tested and refined to hone their expressive, sensory and relationship technologies. The end result is an impressive and even slightly surreal experience as they bob and shine along to music, whilst also reacting to those who walk by close enough.
Floral Exhibition Park
Taipei City Government has transformed the exhibition space of the Flora Expo into a permanent Floral Exhibition Park. During the period of the Flora Expo the cutting-edge technology on show in the Pavilion of Dreams wowed people from all walks of life, so for the reopening we unveiled a brand-new summer version of the Florabots, to elicit a peaceful melody, derived from the combination of technology and nature.
