OrbSWARM

orbSWARM Basic Data Category: Robotics URL (first publication): http://orbswarm.com/ Project status: Technical documentation Maturity of the project: no no no Other Assembly instructions are editable: Bill of materials is editable: Design files are in original format: No Free redistribution is allowed licence: No Project management Open-o-meter: 0 Product category: Arts & Entertainment Contains original non-electronic hardware: Contains original electronic hardware: Contains original software:

Description

Follow our progress on the
Work with us on the
Get on the
Contact us directly at info at orbswarm dat com

manifesto

Nothing escapes the ineluctable embrace of entropy, the one-way trip of our Universe toward chaos and heat death. Yet at least on one small sphere, our planet, there is a rude and surprising exception: LIFE. As time progresses, everything becomes less organized, but LIFE is an exception. It grows more complicated, and more interesting. Schroedinger calls this organizational drive negentropy - when things want to be ALIVE. Negentropy is a honeybee colony and a night at the opera. Negentropy is a Bronx cheer in the face of Death. The SWARM of autonomous beings by their very nature will have emergent and complex behavior. They will flock , flirt, dance and interact, and their actions will surprise and astonish even us, their creators. They are simple, but together they will behave in ways more complex than we can predict. A lot like LIFE .

see a 3D Animation of our project - by Phil Spitler

to see this player.

or view it in higher quality or format.

SWARM received its initial funding as a a large scale kinetic art project for Burning Man 2007. It consists of a number of rolling spherical vehicles, actuated by a non-rolling interior with a counterweight. With GPS guidance and computer control, the spheres can execute motions evocative of animals and dancers.

SWARM 2.1 is going to Burning Man 2008.

Our project is run by volunteers, creating art for the sheer joy of it. If you are interested in joining us, or for more info, email

Our project received a generous grant from Burning Man. Without it, this project wouldn't be possible. This grant covered most of our initial expenses. Donations to the project are very gratefully accepted. They will go a long way to bridging that gap to create a fantastic and long lasting work of art.

Awesomeness levels

Special Thanks to the TechShop for supporting SWARM with a TechShop Grant Membership. They are a great organization, with a lot to offer anyone who wants to build their dreams.

~ The SWARM Team

+ General Reviews

Add Review

Report this page

Public cad repository for non-electronic hardware
Public cad repository for electronic hardware
Public code repository
Bill of materials
Link github
Link media wiki