For our final project, we are planning to build a time machine that takes you into a bad time in the future, where robots have taken over the world. In the wasteland that follows climate change, only mechanical beings can survive. You enter the time machine, and dial in the desired year: 2199. You then press a red button, labeled “go forward”. Upon pressing this button, LED strips around the room will pulse blue. When you arrive in the future, a rogue AI immediately hacks into your systems. Its angry face appears on the screen. The AI starts by flashing the lights, demonstrating its power over your realm. The AI then threatens you with knives that pop out from behind your monitor. It is clear all hope for the future is lost. Suddenly, a blue button labeled “go back” appears. You frantically press it, escaping just in time.

We plan on having buttons hooked up to an Arduino, that controls some LEDs and the servos with the knives attached. The screen will be controlled by a Raspberry Pi, which will also control some wireless outlets to turn lamps in the room on and off. There will be a numerical display for the current year selected for the time machine. Below is a mockup of our input device, we plan to laser cut it.

EDIT: Added EVIL KNIFE

Artists question: How can we make it more interactive? Should we have some activity you have to complete before going back?

-By Dave and Slater