Dynamic Shadows
The latest Shadow En(Counter) prototype…
This prototype responds to the feedback that I received about dynamically aligning the shadows to the objects on the countertop. It consists of a “countertop” and an administrative interface. The admin interface displays a live video feed of the countertop. On top of this video feed are colored shapes, the forms of which correspond to the contours of the objects on the counter. When the shapes are mouse clicked, a shadow of the object is generated on the counter surface.
Technically, I’m using a video camera, OpenCV, and blob detection to detect the contours of the objects on the counter. When an object is selected from within an admin interface, the vertices of the associated blob are then used to create a shadow for the object.
This prototype shows two things: 1) proof of concept for dynamically generated and positioned shadows; and 2) the beginning of an “administrative” tool for the counter interface. While the proof of concept is not terribly complicated technically, it does allow for a new thread of ideation and evaluation. (Where can we go from here?)
I find the admin interface particularly interesting. It began as a side effect of trying to create the dynamic shadows. However, as I built it, I began to imagine how this kind of customization would be useful for someone assessing the appropriateness of an interface like this. Shadows could be created, adjusted and repositioned live as a person with dementia used the interface. Fine grain adjustments could be made according to the abilities of the individual.