Maker Faire Detroit 2010

Kinesion

At the core of the Kinesion is the human-powered electrical generator. As riders pedal bicycle-like mechanisms round and round, they spin a 6-foot pulley coupled to the shaft of a DC electrical generator. As riders approach speeds of 60RPMs or greater the generator will produce 12Volts at 15Amps.

Although the final design of the bike-like mechanisms is still a closely guarded secret, the ring of mechanisms will accommodate active pedaling riders, as well as seats for passive riders. There will be 8 to 12 active and passive riders in total, however, the Kinesion can be scaled up or down by adding or subtracting bike-mechanisms for more or less participants depending on the venue.

At the center of the carousel is a column of 240 animated tri-color LEDs. The LEDs give visual feedback to the riders telling them when their effort generate electricity. The faster and longer the riders pedal, the brighter the leds glow and the more kinetic the animations become.

Surrounding the column of LEDs is an array of 8 pitched flame cannons. The outlets of the cannons stand 12-feet tall and are angled outward so as to burst flames safely over the heads of the riders. As the riders pedal round and round, the electricity generated is used to power the electronics that drive the sequence of pitched flame bursts. The result is a 360-degree pyrophonic calliope that becomes more intense the longer and faster the riders pedal.

The Kinesion also has a sound track. As the riders begin to generate electricity, demented, upbeat cacophony of carnival music slowly begins to play. The faster the riders pedal, the more electricity they generate, and the faster the soundtrack plays until the riders and the music find themselves moving at an almost inhuman rate.

Website Video

Project photo.

About the Maker(s)

Madagascar Institute

The Madagascar Institute is an art combine in Brooklyn that specializes in large-scale sculptures and rides, live performances, and guerilla art events.

Website

comments powered by Disqus