2018 Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 21-26
In this paper, we introduce an interactive art called the Luminescent Tentacles with 256 shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuator arrays. The Luminescent Tentacles system is a scalable kinetic surface system with actuators that can bend in six directions. By waving a hand above the actuators, each actuator reacts to hand movement and the top of the actuator softly glows. The control program based on fluid dynamics controls the actuator movement like the wave propagation. The sound reaction to the hand movement creates music via software synthesizer. We discuss the possibilities of representation using SMA actuator arrays in an Interactive Art through fabrication and exhibition of the Luminescent Tentacles.