Week 14

I carried out my fourth experiment this week, producing something that demonstrates hyper attention.

The idea was to develop a project that incorporates both visual and auditory stimuli. Using the deep attention experiment as a guide, the plan would be to assign a short list of tasks to do. This time around, though, I gave the project greater depth. The audience must hold up a mercury tilt sensor in order for the task to begin. In this instance, the mercury tilt sensor functions as an on/off button; if the tilt is not detected, the circuit will not turn on. This implies that in order to engage in this work, people would need to hold onto something upright.

As a result, they would already have to deal with multitasking. They would be able to finish the task after the tilt was identified. The problem is that, in addition to moving a servo motor continually, the tilt sensor also triggers an obtrusive buzzer. These two elements serve as stimulants that divert attention from the activity at hand. The audience would have to put down the tilt sensor in order to cease the stimulus. On the other hand, the audience would be unable to finish the assignment if the tilt sensor was down.

Experimentation 4

To make things easier, I started creating my experiment 4 using the same techniques I used to develop my third experiment. I began by attaching a condition to the button that activates the led light. The task required would be to click three times quickly, then once again slowly to complete it, because I wanted the studies to have some consistency.

After that, I gradually added parts to my circuit and code. The next thing I did was to replicate my first two steps so that my circuit would now have two push buttons and two leds under the same settings.

I choose to incorporate a mercury tilt sensor into my work after including two leds and buttons into the coding. I had no idea that these parts even existed until I happened to browse the electrical components section at random earlier. I intended to use it as a switch in my project because I found it to be a really fascinating component. The circuit is completed when the sensor is triggered, enabling the button to be used to turn on the light.

My idea was that, when the sensor was triggered, it should also cause a little annoying distraction of some kind. The audience's first reaction would undoubtedly be to put down the sensor. However, if the sensor is down, they will be unable to complete the the task; so, they will have to hold the sensor up and complete it in the presence of all distractions.

I added two more parts that would be utilised for the distractions after figuring out how to include the sensor into the programming and the circuit. The buzzer would undoubtedly be one of them because the sound it makes during a warning is very annoying. Second, I chose to utilise a servo motor because I thought it would be visually appealing and attract attention, which would serve as a diversion. All components are stopped and everything is reset when the sensor is not detected.

I'm looking for some kind of signal that would let me know when the task is finished. Taking that into consideration, I added a green LED to indicate when the task was finished. Only when both of the other LEDs—the two other red LEDs—are on will the green LED turn on. In any other scenario, it won't switch on.

Because my circuit was disorganised, I designed a circuit in Thinkercad so that I could better visualise the parts and wires. Even though the tilt sensor and the motor were two incorrectly used components, I figured the circuit diagram would be a handy reference for me to rewire when I need to rejoin them.

Usually, I would have this made again in a more refined version. But because I was running out of time, I chose to leave my fourth experiment alone and just have my friends and peers test the function. I would then make use of the input to create a more comprehensive version for my first prototype.

Following my friends' experimentation, I received some feedback from them. First of all, they said that the buzzer served as a useful diversion for them while they completed the activity, and they immediately wanted it to stop when it rang. They kind of forgot the steps they needed to follow in order for the LED light to turn on as a result. However, they did note that the motor was inadequate because there wasn't much attached, making the movement extremely little. They added that having something to hold aloft all the time was an interesting touch that also affected how quickly they finished the activity because they would only have one hand remaining. Definitely one of the things they hope to see improved is the way my project is presented. The work's design might be more developed than it is at this point. They added that since there was only a green LED at this point, the work completion indicator could be made more visible.

My personal research has shown me that the audience's attention was significantly diverted from the project by the loud, harsh sound. Even though there were numerous other things vying for their attention, it did manage to draw them in and encourage them to try finishing it. I concurred with them that the project's completion may be improved and that the motor's movement need to be greater. Maybe I could put something on the motor to make the movement more intense. After considering all of the information, I took some time to consider how to turn this into a more polished prototype while keeping in mind all of the suggestions and criticism.