Prototyping of Tangible Programming - An Iterative Approach to a Multidisciplinary Design Problem

Abstract

The Fibo Car is a game interface consisting of a kit of car parts. A virtual model of the assembled parts is generated on a computer and used in a physics engine based gameplay. This product vision is the source of this master s thesis task where the main goal was to develop a critical function prototype of the physical/virtual interface. The challenge of this task was to create a prototype that contained integrated technology from multiple engineering disciplines. After six weeks, a functioning prototype was completed using an incremental style of product development process. Based on this prototype and process, two papers were submitted and accepted for publishing at a conference on entertainment computing. The prototype was then further improved and shown at a live demonstration for potential investors. The final prototype is a complete set where external car parts can be attached to a central part and a rotating 3D model will appear on-screen with the corresponding structure. A list of process related learnings form the conclusion of the project.