For this project we aimed to re-create the multiple types of motion present throughout evolution, we chose evolution because it is not only difficult for non-sighted people but also for sighted people to understand because of the inability to interact with the creature or in some cases there isn't enough information to describe the creature accurately.

We  decided on the evolution of motion because there is a lack of information about extinct species and especially how they move. In addition, non-sighted people will now be able to experience multiple types of species and movements that most sighted people don't understand. To begin this project we had to research the timeline of human evolution starting by looking at simple chordates who have only the most basic beginnings to a spine, evolving all the way to Homo Erectus the most recent ancestor to human beings. To do this we had to choose four models from each generation of movement. To begin we needed to show the swimming of the chordates then the crawling/sliding of tetrapods, developing wrists and elbows into mammals with quadrupedal movement and their own body heat and primates with toes made for grasping and climbing along with losing their tails. Finally the Homo Erectus a fully bipedal being with feet made for walking and hands for precision movements. The chordate was made with a simple crank mechanism along with tabs that simulate the slithering and swimming of a chordate. Next, the tetrapods that walk on four legs with its center of gravity extremely close to the ground would be done by simulating the walk or scurry of a lizard with gears and linkages. Subsequently, there is the primate who moved mostly on all fours but is capable of bipedal walking and complex climbing. In conclusion, we wanted our project to show non-sighted people how extinct ancestors of humans moved.

Visually impaired people have trouble understanding many motions because they cannot feel them. We tried to turn flight into a tactile experience so visually impaired people can experience it as well. We did this by watching the different motions of a swan and modeling them in a linkage program.  We have two different parts: a swan unfolding its wings and a swan flapping its wings. 

Gus’ brief

The musical bike is a stationary tandem bike that, when pedaled, makes music.  As the back wheel of the bike turns a cylinder with spikes, the spikes hit a piano-style hammer that hits drums. It can be played in an ascending or descending scale or have songs programmed in like on a music box.  This bike will be a part of a playground created for children who have fled Syria and are now living on the Turkish border. The bike was created as one of many musical elements of the playground. Play and music are important for children everywhere, but many of these kids don't have much of either.  

This project builds on the mechanics of a piano. With the piano, a finger hits the key, the key moves the hammer, and the hammer hits the string to make a sound. In our innovative mechanism, a foot moves the pedals, which moves the wheel. The wheel moves a cylinder, which strikes the keys that hit the drums to make musical notes.

There are many benefits to this bike: Since this is a musical bike, we hope it motivates kids to pedal.  By pedaling faster or slower, kids can change the tempo of the music, which is fun. The bike gives kids good exercise. Because it’s tandem it is a social experience as well. We hope that our design helps kids meet new friends on the playground and just makes kids happy.