Process

The initial concept evolved quite drastically throughout the course of development, retaining key aspects around technical implementation and the core theme of ambient, disembodied audio presence. From a preliminary answering machine form came the “listening glass” motif, which I swapped out with ceramic mugs to ensure all internal components would be hidden from view. After assembling the main circuit (Arduino, RFID sensor, DF Player Mini, speaker), I checked for functionality with external power sources (LiPo batteries), added various peripherals to enhance the flexibility of the system across different contexts (potentiometer to adjust volume, audio amplifier), and finally swapped out the speakers for bone conductor transducers to allow for a more intimate, visceral final interaction.

A series of four housing structures and fixing mechanisms were prototyped and tested, with the final version using a flexible semi-solid housing 3D printed with TPU and covered with a semi-translucent acrylic, held in place with generic office putty. 
Though I wanted this experience to be quite intimate and personal, to prevent it from being a single-person installation, I wanted to create 2 cups for alternating use. Since I only had 1 Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense, I sourced an Arduino Nano for the second cup, which required different code and wiring to initiate serial communications. After sorting this out, things were working well until the Nano BLE Sense became unresponsive. After attempted troubleshooting and conferral, it was determined that the board was unusable. I rewired the first cup and scavenged another Nano to swap in, but suddenly faced issues with the boards not retaining uploaded sketches upon connection to LiPo batteries. Upon experimentation, the cups became functional when connected to conventional 9V batteries, but lacked secure circuit connections due to time constraints. The final version of the installation, though functioning and responsive, was quite delicate as a result and required frequent refreshes and debugging.