Mediamatic Lab has developed a new interactive tool for museums. The ikPod is a networked ikPod connected to a RFID reader. RFID tagged objects can be directly linked to clips, audio and other online information. The ikPod is used in the Mediamatic BANK exhibition space and in the Hollandsche Schouwburg / Joods Historisch Museum in Amsterdam.
The ikPod was developed in 2009 - 2010 by Mediamatic Lab including Arjan Scherpenisse and object production by Bernardo Gaeiras. We thank CabFabLab in The Hague for their help with a 3D ikPod mould.
Here we document in chronological order the development of the ikPod.
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The internal parts for the ikPod; RFID reader, button, lithium battery, micro controller, mini USB connector, power suplly before connecting it to the iPod Touch and casting it in PU
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The internal parts for the ikPod; RFID reader, button, lithium battery, micro controller, mini USB connector, power suplly before connecting it to the iPod Touch and casting it in PU
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One of the ingredients of the ikPod
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creating a 'positive' to prepare a 'negative' mould for the ikPod cast-
Here the white/greenish positive mould that was printed at the CabFabLab in The Hague is used for moulding a yellow 'negative' mould.
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Front side, showing the iPod embedded in the PU cast.
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Detail of the connectors (USB, power and audio out).
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Back side showing antenna and RFID circuit.
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Preparing to cast one of the 4 negative molds over the ABS positive matrix.
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Four negative moulds were casted of Polyurethane in order to prepare 4 ikPods at a time.
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All the parts of the ikPod are carefully placed in the negative mould before filling the mould with transparant Polyurethane
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The mould with all the parts before casting the Polyurethane. Transparant Polyurethane plastic was used in the the yellow negative moulds with the ipod and circuit board inside and get a positive shape again
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The curing time is around 16 hours and when the ikPod comes from the mould they need a proper hand finishing
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The curing time is around 16 hours and when the ikPod comes from the mould they need a proper hand finishing. The ipod was mounted on the side of the mold with double-sided mounting foil so when it comes out of the mold, there is a layer of plastic on top of the foil, but once you remove the foil from the screen of the ipod and from the activating red button you get a clean polyurethane-free surface.
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The ipod was mounted on the side of the mold with double-sided mounting foil so when it comes out of the mold, there is a layer of plastic on top of the foil, but once you remove the foil from the screen of the ipod and from the activating red button you get a clean polyurethane-free surface.
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Shock proof PU cast enables milling of the name of the museum. Backside view with RFID reader
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PU cast of the ikPod (thickness 2,5 cm).
Contributions
Michael
Bernardo
MichelComments
Arjan
Eveline
Jeana
Gillian
