Hosting the Microcontroller, Sensors and Actuators

For the third log, we spent time designing the platform that elevates Alexa and hosts the microcontroller, sensors and actuators (see image above). The cloud shape took inspiration from the Objective Reality Short Story: Moody Alexa, where we attributed its condition to the yearning of the storm that saw her come to life. “I was born on a dark and stormy night. [...] I was always just waiting for the next storm to come.”

In order to fabricate the structure we made a three dimensional model, laid down the parts in two dimensions, carved them out with a laser cutter, and sprayed painted them in white. The final piece consists of a solid cap, horizontal layers with wavy edges, and vertical profiles to support them.