Join us and create your own set of “Buzz Bites” –
vibration motor modules ready for your next haptics project!
Overview
Hello Haptics! From the rattle of early pager motors to the clicks and purrs of smart phone haptic engines, the ability for our devices to buzz has become increasingly sophisticated. Yet, connecting to the tiny wires of a simple vibe motor frequently stumps both novice and experienced DIY electronics practitioners.
This workshop will share experimental connection techniques and work-in-progress breakout boards for use with pancake-style vibrating motors. Participants will follow along and create a set of “buzz bites” – vibe motors with varying styles of robust electrical connections that are ready to be used in future projects. All levels of experience are welcome, and show-and-tell of prior vibrotactile feedback projects will be encouraged. The making and discussion that takes place in this workshop will help to inform the next version aspiring open hardware vibe boards!
The workshop will consist of a 5-minute intro, 45 minutes of making, and hopefully 10 minutes of closing discussion. The making process will be guided by a printed zine. Both hard and soft circuit approaches will be introduced – soldering, sewing, and working with conductive fabric tape. Ways of wearing the vibe motors on the body will also be shared.
Materials include: vibe motors (3-5 per person), solder, custom PCBs, conductive fabric tape, copper tape, conductive thread, batteries, alligator clips.
Tools: soldering irons, helping hands, heat guns
About the Workshop Leaders
Social Body Lab (SBL) is a research lab at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada. Kate Hartman is the SBL co-director and an Associate Professor in the Digital Futures (DF) with a focus on wearables. Juan is a SBL collaborator who recently completed the DF graduate program with a focus on Open Hardware.
