The interactive console is a recycled 55 gallon drum, a metal base crafted from 1/8″ thick, 1” angle iron, 3/4” clear acrylic for the console top, each button comprises 3 pieces of laminated 3/4” acrylic with laser etching for depth effect, subwoofer, 4 small speakers, and ROHS certified electronics.
Simon V1 was a project that we built because we knew that we could do it and more importantly that we would likely get passed by the fire marshall at our local art events. Once we made it, we had the bug and we needed to build something bigger and badder. We honed our skills on V1 so we needed to try some new things.
Simon 2.0 features a large laser cut, touch-sensitive console that allows participants to play the classic memory game. Of course, while that’s happening, four large towers surrounding the players light up with 1500 LEDs each and pump out classic sound effects. And if your memory is good enough, you’re rewarded with huge fireballs!
The initial list included:
- Acrylic touch buttons
- Wireless interaction between the console and the towers
- More fireballs
- 4 towers instead of one
- LOTS of LEDs
- Origami metal panels
- Better sound
- More chiptunes
- Bigger fireballs
- Propane Heater and trough reused from Simon V1
Connections:
- Power cables, propane lines
More technical information can be found at our GitHub repository.
Simon 2.0 received support in the form of a grant from INW and was brought to Critical NW in 2015. Simon 2.0 also received a grant from Burning Man and was featured as one of the 2015 honorarium projects.
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 Fundraiser, 2015. Near-final console system. Laser cut capacitive touch panels act as inputs to the system, a conglomeration of 5 different processors for running primary logic, audio wave banks, beat detection, lighting, along with separate analog and digital transmitters for getting audio and control signals to the towers.
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 Fundraiser, 2015. Remote for the console system on a clear acrylic surface, allowing participants full view of the touch sensors, microcontrollers and the electronics required to coordinate light, sound, and flame effects on the towers.
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 Fundraiser, 2015. Partially built tower bases, with interim effect heads, 40m of RBG LEDs wrapped around 40# accumulators.
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 Fundraiser, 2015. Tower control module, mounted to the top of the accumulator. Consists of an analog receiver (safety fob), digital receiver (console control), and the systems to drive the lighting and flame effect.
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 at Critical NW, 2015. First public showing of the partially complete system. After AHJ-inspection, given full approval to run the system full bore even with a total burn ban in process for the bone-dry northwest. Aside from the lack of reticulating laser cut metal origami paneling, project is complete.
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 at Burning Man, 2015
A participant winning a lot of fireballs at Burning Man, 2015
Simon: Fire Edition 2.0 at Burning Man, 2015