whimsy is a swarm of eight physically identical 2-wheeled robots that I developed to explore simple behavioural rule systems (Braitenburg vehicles) in an embodied context. The vehicles (whimsies ) take their name from the spring mounted 'eyes' that bobble about as they move. The bots are typically deployed in two behavioural forms, identifiable by wheel color, are programmed with simple sensor-actuator routing rules and realtime feedback systems. Distinct relationships between vehicle-types and with their environment are immediately identifiable.
whimsy vehicles, detail
exploring with whimsy (Art Gallery of Peterborough)