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The water controller is a directional input device that, when connected to a USB port and filled with water, allows for pseudo-analog control. Tilting the box in one of four directions causes a force to be applied to an on-screen object in that direction. The magnitude of the force is directly proportional to the tilt duration. The on-screen object's motion results from the application of these forces. Since the water controller appears to the host computer as if it were a standard keyboard it can be used in most any application or game that can be operated via key press. Water was chosen because of usage speed limitations that result from the requisite travel delay of liquids. These limitations force the user to make deliberate motions causing a tension similar to that of a marble labyrinth or similar skill game.
Design Context
This project was completed as part of the excellent physical interaction design course taught by Massimo Banzi and Yaniv Steiner at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea during the winter of 2004. The assignment it was created to fulfill dealt with techniques for rapid prototyping by repurposing consumer electronics.
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Technical Description
Four wires mounted inside the box are positioned at each corner just above the brass base plate of which the fifth wire is soldered to. As the box is tilted, water collects in the lowest corner and causes a circuit between the wire at that corner and the brass base plate. This causes one of four key press events to be sent to the computer, one at each corner.
Components
Box (7" x 7" x 1.5")
Acrylic Sides
Stainless Steel Top w/ hole
Brass Bottom
Five Wires
Water
Hot Glue
Mutilated USB Keyboard
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