Discover Dundee - Interactive Games and Activities

For our Connected Objects module, we have created a series of interactive games/activities which help motivate people to get into nature and explore Dundee. Individually, we were all focused on different age ranges and how we could help them interact more with nature, so as a group we came together and designed a large map of Dundee with LEDs for each location, that light up when a unique activity at said location is complete. The map will be reset at the end of everyday so everyone gets a chance to complete these tasks. For this Instructable we will be discussing the making of the Map, Birdfeeder and the Reaction Game.

MAP

-2.3mm MDF boards (x3)

-Adobe Illustrator

-Acrylic Cylinders (30mm height x5)

BIRDFEEDER

-2.3mm MDF boards (x2)

-Acetate paper (preferably blue/purple)

-Hinges (x2)

-Wooden dowel (120mm x4)

-Wooden dowel (90mm x4)

REACTION GAME

-2.3mm MDF boards (x2)

-A red and blue button

MAP

For the design, we did some research into the topography of Dundee and decided that making the map 3D would look much more interesting and aesthetically pleasing, it would also mean that the map could also double as an art piece for the city centre too. We also found making it 3D made it much easier to figure out where each place was and would make it easier to navigate for the user. To design the layers we used Adobe Illustrator as it's easy to work with but also works well with our laser cutters (see map outlines above).

BIRDFEEDER

We looked up different bird feeders for inspiration and whilst we liked the classic cylinder look we decided to design one that was slightly more unique, we designed the bird feeder to look more like a bird house so that it would stand out more and be easily recognised as part of the Discover Dundee project.

For designing the bird feeder we used Adobe Illustrator, as it would guarantee that each panel was the correct size (see template in the links below). We also decided to add coloured windows, the blue and purple colours are relaxing to birds, so we felt this would be a good design choice to include those colours.

REACTION GAME

For the reaction game we decided to keep it simple, we wanted the game to be in a rectangular box so that it's easy for the user to understand, but to add some visual interest we decided to add a finger joint design along the edges, it's not necessary but we feel it's more interesting. We decided to go with larger buttons as we felt it would be easier for the user to press in a rush when the light turns on. To make sure the user knew what game they were playing we designed a large sign on the game.

Across the three, we decided to not paint over the wood as we like that its more natural this way, but different woods can be used and they can be painted over depending on your taste! But we would recommend that they are all of a similar style so they are easily recognised as being part of the same project.

MAP

When it came to coding the map, it's code heavily relies on the activities coding to be done correctly, as the LEDs only light up if its corresponding number is published in the MQTT server. The map's codes job is to respond to the numbers being published into the MQTT server. For example, if the 'Bird feeder' was number 2, when that number gets published into the MQTT server, the code will tell the LED light that represents the bird house on the map to turn on. To reset the map, simply publish '0' and it will reset all the lights that are on.

BIRDFEEDER

This code was created with the assistant of the example code for the Servo motor, originally we were going to use a stepper motor but found quickly it was far too slow, so switched to Servo. We coded the Servo to rotate at 180 degrees at a moderate pace then snap back to position 0 degrees in about 3 seconds, we would recommend this speed as it makes sure not too much bird feed falls out. Once the Servo code was perfected we created an MQTT code then added the Servo code in, we accidentally created two publishing codes which we realised was affecting the map, but we managed to sort it out so the maps light for the bird feeder stays on until it resets.

REACTION GAME

(See breadboard for this game above) The reaction game was quite tricky to connect to the MQTT, we found that sometimes it would publish a number to the server but either wouldn't show the time that it took for the user to press the button or the buttons wouldn't work at all. We realised that we had typed the wrong command and quickly fixed the code, which sorted out both problems!

For all three, we used the Arduino app to create our codes and Wemos D1 Mini devices to connect our project to the internet. All three codes can be found linked below.

MAP

Once the coding was complete, we started to glue the layers of the map together to bring the project to the life. It all pieced together well but the edges were rough due to the glue, so we'd recommend sanding it down to make it as neat as possible. Before we started drilling small holes for the LED's, we realised that by adding small acrylic circles above the LEDS, we could add more colour and visual interest to the board, and it also meant that the LEDs would be flush against the wood. Whilst this is optional, we do believe it provides a more neat and professional look.

Once the map was made we placed in the LEDs but the wires kept popping out from the bread board, so we soldered some cables to the correct length under the board tom prevent this, but it meant that if the board was sat flat it would be unstable due to the wires. We decided to add 'table legs' to the board so the wiring/breadboard would stay hidden and unaffected.

BIRDFEEDER

The bird feeder was pieced together and glued, but we realised by having the whole bottom part rotate too much of the food would fall out and there was a chance the food would be too heavy and it wouldn't turn at all. We created two side panels that would funnel the food into a centre strip that was attached to the motor (see PICTURE 1/2), making it possible for the food to come out and not come out all at once.

We created the bottom part where the food would drop into with the same MDF material for consistency, we decided to add wooden dowels at the sides for birds to land on rather than the edge of the food catcher, we did glue them on the sides we'd recommend drilling them in for stability. To hold up the bird feeder on the food catcher we decided to use dowels instead of string as we worried if it got windy the food catcher would just blow away and potentially drop food. For hanging the bird feeder, our idea was that it would be sitting on a stand but it is possible to have it hang on a tree if you attach the string etc from either the hinges on the roof or the top points of the side wall panels.

REACTION GAME

Before gluing the box together please make sure you've attached the buttons and LEDS underneath first! Gluing the box together wasn't complicated but making sure that the measurements are right for the finger joints are crucial for this part of the project, just make sure you've taken extra care when sizing them to avoid wasting material. As we pieced the reaction game together we realised that it could use a bit more colour, but as we decided that we wanted to keep everything wooden to match we decided to add some colourful dots for visual interest, but of course you can add whatever design you like depending on your style.

Once we worked out the small kinks in our designs, we finally completed our project! Over all we are really happy with hw our designs turned out and we think if this was a real project it would be incredibly successful and help people get to know the city of Dundee.