Updates

I am going to attempt to catch up with my current position in studio, so please bear with me during this ... difficult phase.




Overshadowed by the development of the opening mechanism was the air-current sensor on which the opening mechanism would be suspended. The sensor is activated by air currents [wind] that cause the 'whiskers' to bump against the exposed wire of the central wire - closing the switch and activating the motor.

Not only does the sensor respond to the air currents around it, the activation of the motor and the induced gyroscopic forces also causes the motor to twitch and jiggle and further activate the switch / engage the motor. The overall effect is rather interesting - very organic and entertaining to watch.

Here are some photos of the motor movement:



I then began experimenting with different 'jellyfish' designs. By switching from an exposed wire to a electrified tube limited tangles, and more refined mounting systems improved constructibility. I linked the jellyfish to each-other in an attempt to develop a system of reactions:

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With each refinement however, the system developed greater and greater imbalance - the motor-induced motion - 'noise' - was over powering the sensitivity of the sensors - essentially they were responding only to the motion of the motors and not to the wind currents as originally intended. I had to redesign the system.