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New Media 4225

Spring 2017
About
This booklet was created by the students of the National University of Singapores
Spring 2017 Design Fiction course.

This class explores the concept of Design Fiction where science fiction - type story-
worlds are shared through the creation of interactive, futuristic objects. These novel
designs aim to suspend disbelief and invite audiences into the possible future worlds
expressed by these interactive objects. The ideas and storyworlds surrounding the
designs provoke audiences and encourage discussion about current issues that may
lead to such futures.

This semesters theme focused on Frontiers of Ecological Interaction. Students were


tasked with exploring contemporary technologies and issues arising between humani-
ty and the natural world. They then designed interactive objects, performances, and
storyworlds that highlight key concerns arising in the near future.
- Prof. Andrew Quitmeyer, 2017
A breath of fresh air: Taken your Exploring
the invention of O2 O2 yet? the O2 Pod

The All Cure


OSUS introducing the O2 Pod
the most advanced solution yet
to the lack of oxygen
Exploring the O2 Pod
An antidote for our hazardous environment.
Zero contamination | Regulated temperatures | Fast dispensing

Syringe
Quick easy dispensing of O2
with large holding capacity

Plant Dome
Airtight dome prevents
contamination, and maintains
optimal temperature for the
production of good quality O2

Fingerprint scanner Aconitum


Exchange your biodata for O2.
State-of-the-art scanner has the
Columbianum
Essential ingredient that
ability to store 1250tb of data
converts proprietary
securely. chemicals into antidote
A Breath of
Fresh Air
The human race was facing
extinction but she was
determined to find a cure.
The biohazard war wiped out
the Earths supply of oxygen
and replaced it with putrid,
poisonous air. Many people
died as they were unable to find
a cure. Just as many thought all
hope was lost, Edith Grotreser
invented the O2 cure.

The O2 consists of the plant


Aconitum Columbianum,
delivering a concentrated dose
of medicinal ions that regulate
oxygen in the human body.
She envisioned a world As she toiled away, armed burglars
where everyone could broke into her home to steal early
prototypes and murdered her parents.
breathe freely again
Despire the series of unfortunate
events, she remained dedicated to
find solution to counter the ill-effects
ot the last biohazard war.

Grotreser showed signs of immense


potential from a young age as she
showed keen interest in biology and
horticulture. At the age of 12, she
discovered the first plant that could
interact with humans biological in-
formation as an input to survive. Adversity only made her stronger, as
she overcame the losses to create the
The crowning achievement in her ca- O2 Pod that we all benefit from today.
reer came at the age of 22 when she
invented the O2. 29 February, 2093
Keila, Osus Reporter
(Real) Creators
of the O2 Pod.

Lee Ken Kiat Leong Jia Yu Sharmaine Sie

Pollution is an increasingly pressing problem, and every individual contributes to it in their own
way, whether they realise it or not. Before you grab that set of disposable utensils or ask for that
extra plastic bag, always think of the consequences of your actions because every act counts.

Through speculative design, we hope to engage audiences to think about ecology and the issues
that surround it more critically. In this propaganda-tinged story world, we also want people to
question and challenge what they are being told, rather than just blindly accepting others agen-
das.
AGENTS
WANTED
UBPF RECRUITMENT DRIVE 2017

UBPF

wildlife justice Change UBPF

If you share the same passion, then come join us and be part of this dynamic organisation!

Contact us at contact.ubpf@gmail.com for more information


Founders Message
The world is transforming at a rapid pace, yet mankind's attitude
towards wildlife remains unchanged. Human activities have never
ceased wrecking havoc on Mother Nature. The rate of natural
species becoming extinct bears testament to the damage humans
have brought upon the environment.

The United Beast Peace Foundation (UBPF) was born from my


vision to create a safe environment for all wildlife to realise their Big Bear
fullest potential while preventing premature deaths. Founder
United Beast Peace Foundation
Here at UBPF, we are dedicated to ensuring the peace and safety
of wildlife. To that end, our group of highly skilled and talented
human scientists work hard at creating technologies that drive us
towards our vision.

Today, I am proud to announce the launch of Beast Peace 1.0. It is


the latest gadget developed to aid our agents in their missions to
UBPF
make the world a better place.

It is my conviction that real progress can only be made by raising


the environmental consciousness in human beings. I welcome you Mission
to join us in our endeavour to conserve our environment and safe- To protect wildlife by taking justice into our own
guard the future of all wildlife for generations to come. hands.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by
the way its animals are treated. - Mahatma Ghandi Vision
To create a safe environment for all wildlife to
realise their fullest potential while preventing
Big Bear premature deaths.
About This Project
This is a design fiction project by Lim Jia Hui Hazel, a final year Communications and
New Media Student. Disturbed by the onslaught of wildlife poaching, which she deems
an absolutely unnecessary human activity, Hazel decided to delve into the issue in her
final project for the module.

In this futuristic story world, Hazel takes on the role of a human scientist working for the
United Beast Peace Foundation (UBPF). Her boss, Big Bear, comes from a long line of
circus bears, genetically modified to be smarter and trained to pick up more tricks. Gen-
erations after, the bears have gained human-like intelligence, with Big Bear amongst
them.
Mission
Disturbed by the persistance of poaching despite being in a new society of animals and Capture target and bring him back
humans in co-existence, Big Bear decided to put his intelligence to use by setting mea- to the HQ!
sures in place and plans in motion, in order to combat this issue that still plagues the Target Profile
world. Krew Earl Mann (38)
178cm, 85kg
The UBPF resembles Marvels Avengers, but instead of humans, it seeks to avenge wild-
life. In UBPF, its field agents are its avengers. Under Big Bear's directions, scientists Misdeed
Engages in illegal wildlife trade
create and arm field agents with high-tech gadgets to kidnap individuals who engage in
activities that threaten wildlife. These individuals will then be exploited for their labour
or extorted to keep the organisation running. In essence, the UBPF hopes to gradually
reduce the number of individuals that pose a threat to the environment.

Credits
Hazel would like to extend her sincere gratitude to her friends Shawn and Zuo Yi
who have helped her in the video documentation for the project.

Red fox, Justice scale, Cross & Globe: Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
Equal sign: Icon made by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com
[Footprints Logo Circle]. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2017, from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?im-
age=191764&
picture=footprints-logo-circle
Contact: plantnetorium@gmail.com
Alcatraz Island. (2016, August 05). Retrieved April 01, 2017, from https://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/alcatraz-island
Analyze the Spread of Epidemic Diseases with Simulation. (n.d.). Retrieved April 01, 2017, from https://www.comsol.com/blogs/analyze-the-spread-of-epidemic-diseases-with-simulation/Australia's Great Natural Wonder. (n.d.). Retrieved April 01, 2017, from http://
www.greatbarrierreef.org/
Epidemic Facts for Kids. (2017, February 25). Retrieved April 01, 2017, from http://easyscienceforkids.com/epidemic/
Clements, R., & Musker, J. (Directors). (1989). The Little Mermaid [Video file]. United States: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc. Retrieved March 21 , 2017, from movies.disney.com/the-little-mermaid
FOR HONOR AND GLORY
fighting the war with cockroaches

Roach Regiment
Learn more about the secret
weapon that will change the
landscape of war forever
DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE

Dear Recruit,
In accordance to Military
Conscription Act (II), you
have been drafted to serve
in the Royal Roach Regiment.
You will undergo a series of
tests including piloting roach
tanks to assess your
capabilities.
Non-compliance will be
severely punished under the
administration of Great
Leader Donald J. Trump.
IED
IF
SS ent
GEN. Tynee Hans
LA ach
Regim

C
Ro
al
Roy
of the
er
Ord
By
cat
control
scheme
the Cat Control Agency
Chen Wenshi Lisa
Jasmine Moh
I N THE Y EA R 21 0 0. . .
There is a trend of keeping wild,
exotic cats as people have become enamoured with
their beauty and they have a gotta-catch-em-all'
attitude for all the various breeds of cats out there.

However, many owners have diffculty of keeping


and maintaining these cats as the wild cats'
inherent needs cannot be met in captivity.

In addition, people quickly got tired of outdated


cats and started to abandon them in the quest to
obtain rarer and more unique cats.

The abandoned cats proved to be a problem on


the streets as their population had multiplied and boomed.
Moreover, having been previously raised in captivity
despite being natural wild animals, the wild cats do not
know how to survive in the outside world now that
they have been released. Such wild cats tend to show
aggression towards humans and have destructive
tendencies.

In an attempt to control the cat population and regulate


their behaviour, the government (The Cat Control Agency)
rolled out the Cat Control Scheme.

Cat ControL Scheme


CAT C ON TR OL S C H E M E
Phase 1: Culling
Caterminators are to seek out the existing stray wild cats and
eliminate them, as they are a liability to the human society. The
dead wild cats are gathered and their fur and body parts are used
to make wild cat merchandise.

The cats are dangerous and must be thrown


away into the Trash Catlector so that it can
forcefully kill the cats for merchandise.
Phase 2: Classification The cats lack survival skills and personality. Thus
For further abandonment of cats, owners are to they are caged on the spot and wait to be turned
bring their cats to the Cat Classifier which decides into merchandise.
whether:
The cats have sufficient survival skills and are
harmless enough to be released outside.

Phase 3: Support
For the wild cats which are allowed to roam freely on the streets, Dr. Meow is created
to support their lifestyle. As no one is responsible for these cats anymore, the cats can
approach Dr. Meow for repose.

Dr. Meow
P ROTOTY PE
DR . M E O W Cancer
Cell Rate

0%
Cholestrol
Levels

160
mg/dl

3.2 Health Monitor


Health conditions of each cat
1. Food Storage + as shown by the graph will be
Automatic food kept in human records to
dispenser monitor the state of the cats
Dispenses food at released and check for
regular intervals to abnormalities. Should an
attract cats + prevent epidemic occur, The Cat
overfeeding. Control Agency will aim to
solve the root of the health
issue based on this data.

3.1 Scanner
Scans for illnesses when
4. Treatment Liquid Maker + the cat is eating.
Spray
After the scan, treatment
liquid will be formulated
based on the data from the
scanner and monitor. The 2. Pressure Sensor and
treatment liquid is then Heart rate monitor
sprayed onto the cat if it is Senses when the cat is
sick. present, and activates the
scanner. (This saves
electricity!)
iterations
I TERATIO N S

user testing + REFINEMENT


As our prototype is for cats in the wild, we wanted to see if it would actually work
on a real cat. We were able to monitor the cats pulse through its paw, but only
after much coaxing and bribing with treats. This confirms our decision to include a
cat-feeder into Dr Meows design.

After the lo-fi prototype exhibition at the Art Science Museum, the feedback we
received was mostly about the ambiguity of the monitor. We decided to simplify
the pulses plotted in the monitor, and make this solely for humans to help with cat
survelliance. We recognise that Dr. Meow is made for cats and they would be
unable to use the monitor, rendering it useless to them. However, we need the
monitor to better present our prototype (to humans). Thus, we gave it a real
purpose - mass surveillance on the cat populations health. We have also added
Cancer cell percentage and Cholestrol levels into our output display, to help us
better explain what illness the cat has to the audience.

Initially, we wanted to use an LCD display as our output for the cats vitals, but we
were unable to integrate it into our prototype despite hours of effort. We then
experimented with using the computers monitor display instead, and we feel that
the plotter helped the audience better visualise the heart rate and health
conditions than what our 16x2 LCD is able to with only numbers.

Also, we have created various parahernalia to help our audience better understand
the storyworld.

presentation Elements
P RESENT AT ION E LE M E N T S
Your Cat Collection

Cat Collection New Cats

Manager
SELECT NEW CAT

Cat Abandonment
Booklet

Cat Control Scheme Briefing Video


+ Live Demonstration of Classification

CatControl.bitballoon.com Dr. Meow Demonstration


(Prototype)

Interactive Story

Final Message
FI NAL ME SS AG E

While it may seem fun to raise animals at the start, sometimes we are unable to live
up to the responsibility of giving them the sufficient care they need and end up
abandoning them.

This is even worse for wild animals because they are not meant to be in captivity.
You might think that they enjoy being your pet due to their obedience towards you.
In actual fact, what makes them the happiest is being free in their natural habitat.

In this world, people abandon their wild cats and the cats are treated differently,
based on how they turn out after being in the care of their previous owners.

Us cats have no choice but to let humans decide


our fate as we can no longer live like natural wild
animals anymore.
With only 7% of our forests left and fertility rates at an all-time low of 0.12 in the year 2255, there is urgent need to preserve
our natural environment and the human race.

In the last few decades, environmental degradation has spiralled out of control due to rapid urbanisation. Rising deforestation
and pollution levels are signs of a lack of nature connectedness. Additionally, fertility rates have dwindled drastically, leading
scientists to predict that the human race will be endangered by the year 2545.

This is why the State has developed The Transplant Facility. As a healthy adult citizen, it is your duty and responsibility to
surrender your reproductive cells to the Facility.

The Transplant Facility uses in-vitro fertilisation technology to form an embryo, that will then be transplanted into the flower of
a cannonball tree (Couroupita Guianensis). Your baby will grow within the fruit of the tree until it is ripe.

The procedure is safe and your foetus will be fully taken care of until birth. With The Transplant Facility, your child will be able to
identify with nature, growing up to have an innate passion to protect the environment. Fertility rates will also increase, breeding
a new generation who will help to preserve nature and the human race.

THE TRANSPLANT FACILITY


1. I am single. Who will be the other parent of my child?
If you are single, you have two options in deciding the other parent of your child:
(1) Your reproductive cells will be fertilised with the cells of another healthy individual by random.
(2) By paying a premium, you may select the reproductive cells of another individual, depending on stock availability.

2. Can I choose not to donate my reproductive cells to the Facility?


All healthy citizens are required to surrender their reproductive cells to The Transplant Facility. Failure to do so will
result in a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.

3. Why the cannonball tree?


Research has shown that the fruit of the cannonball tree is ideal as a substitute human womb. The trees massive
trunk is also very sturdy and can bear the weight of hundreds of fruit.
1 Screening Room

Welcome to the Transplant


Facility. In order to ensure
1 that potential parents are
healthy and meet the medical
requirements to surrender
their reproductive cells, each
2
citizen has to go through the
screening process.

2 Extraction Rooms
4
Once declared healthy,
fertilisation cells will
be extracted using the
extraction device. The
process is designed
5 to be quick, safe, and
comfortable.

3 Fertilisation Laboratory

Sperm and egg will be


6 fertilised using in-vitro
fertilisation technology.
4 / 5 Control Centre / Greenhouse

Air and soil conditions in the Greenhouse are monitored and controlled tightly by the Control Centre. Nutrients are injected into
the soil to ensure the foetuss survival. Each foetus will also have a personal blood bag and waste sac.

6 Visitor Centre
Parents will sign the birth certificate before taking their baby home.
About the project
The aim of this project was to get people to reflect on the two issues mentioned: environmental degradation and falling fertility
rates due to urbanisation. We wanted to project a dystopian future, and we wanted the experience to be uncomfortable,
awkward, and even creepy. We felt that having a strange project would make people fear the possibility of The Transplant
Facility becoming a reality in the future, and they would hence reflect on these issues today and start making a change.

About Team Transplanted


Meet Jan and Umi. We are a pair of Communication and New Major students, who
under the guidance of our zany professor, imagined a story world where, in the future,
trees could solve the worlds problems.

While sitting in a field staring at trees, we thought it would be cool if babies could be
plucked from branches. By growing babies on trees, we wanted to create a world in
which humans would identify with both their human parents and Mother Nature, in
light of an increasing lack of nature connectedness.

Blue Cityfogscape by Kenny K Photography


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atmos wearable nature

by

apple life
We spend 90%
of our time in
urban landsapes
Research suggests that by including nature into
our surroundings we can improve our physical and
mental wellbeing.

Human beings are have Biophillia, meaning that


we have an inate need to connect with nature,
atmos, makes this a reality.
atmos wearable nature
PLANT TREES
by
DO NOT DEsY
LIFE
apple life CO-EARTH
CO-EARTH
S
CO-EARTH

MANIFESTO
1.
Taking the crap and pretentiousness out of
environmentalism.

2.
Actions to awake the the public on
the brainwashing and greenwashing
techniques used by multi national
companies. atmos is a design fiction
project that examines the
3. lengths at which we are willing
Moving past the politically correct to go to bring nature into our
lives, it is also a critique on how
censorship that is rampant in our media.
companies and consumers
address this instinctual want.

Project by
Mathilde Gaucher
Ang Sue Li . Goh Pei Fang . Tan Kai Qi
TIMELINE OF EVENTS

2057 2059 2061 2062 2067 2068 2070 2081 2098 2099

First successful First formal


Passed
modification Plant becomes Electricity farm:
Legislation to
of GM plant strongest mate- Electricus
ban unlicensed
with Electric rial on Earth Electricity
cutting down of
Eel to generate plants connect
GM plants
electricity to houses
through an First under-
intricate array ground city
Notarised List
of vines
First batch of of Plants to
Success of first
trained Park Protect (LoPP)
underground
First company city -> Rangers to pa-
(Electricus) legislation trol areas with Government Humans that
given license to to move all large concen- relocated to wish to visit the
farm GM plants humans under- trations of GM Government Unlicensed Surface have to
for production ground plants Tree Command: cutting down apply for a visa
the only build- of GM plants
ing allowed on punishable by
the Surface death
DR discovered
mutant gene
Formation of causing muta-
Dark Rangers tion: X-hb
All cities 2 GM workers
(DR): anti-GM
underground disappeared
plant activist
(first case in
group 80% of plants
First GM plant a string of
on the Surface
developed a disappearances)
are infected by
heart and brain the mutation

Governments
ordered
assassination
of DRs top DR trained first
DR field agent
management: batch of secret
discovered
Agent Z agents
plans of mutant
plants while DRs first
extracting device proto-
samples type: Seth field
test

2124 2139 2144 2152 2164 2165 2166 2169 2170

semoceb tn
-etam tsegn
htraE no l
Dark Rangers
In 2144, an anti-GMO activist group, Dark Rangers, was formed
by a group of plant scientists in retaliation to the governments
passing of the law to legitimise the continual development of
GM plants.

Ever since its formation, one of its main functions has been
to secretly conduct research on the side effects of modifying
GM plants. After two decades of research, they discovered an
appalling side-effect to such repeated modifications performed
on plants: a gene, X-hb, is causing plants to develop a human-
like consciousness.

Contagious and easily transmittable through soil to other GM


plants, however, this two decades of research has also allowed
sufficient time for the mutation to proliferate and by 2164,
approximately 80% of the GM plants have been tested positive R
for the mutation. Agent Y Founder of Dark Rangers Agent X

In order to kill off these mutated plants, Dark Rangers As a passionate nature lover, Coming from a family of X is a curious plant scientist
experimented with various methods over the years only to Y likes to experiment and scientists, R enjoys going who likes spend her time in the
have failed countless times. Only until 2169 was Dark Ranger research on stuff related to the to the field to do research science laboratory researching
environment. One fine day, with her mother. Chancing on plants cells. After her best
able to successfully devise a wearable called Seth to counter the
while studying and researching upon presumed first case of friend Y told her about what R
mutated GM plants. Then following a year of intensive trainings,
in the woods, she chanced murder by the mutant plants, discovered, X requested to join
Dark Rangers dispatched their first batch of trained agents out upon R who started showing R was horrified and decided the team due to her passion in
for mission above grounds to kill the mutant plants. her her research efforts and to research on the side effects researching on plants.
the negative effects of X-hb. of genetic modification.
Convinced by Rs thorough
explanation, Y decided to join
R in her research and advocacy.
The Government
With greater government funding of biotechnology to develop GM plants, the first
successful case in 2057 involved modifying plants with electric eels to generate electricity.
Subsequent development on this strain led to the increase in popularity of plant-generated
electricity.This breakthrough revolutionised energy production methods, expanding the
boundaries of sustainability and environmental-friendliness.

In 2062, Electricus became the first company to be licensed for harvesting GM plants in
production lines, formalising the first electricity farm. In order to reap greater economic
benefits from the low-priced production of electricity, buildings in urban and compact cities
were cleared and more spaces were allocated to the electricity farms. This establishment
pushes for the blueprint of underground cities, with people proposing the use of the
strong plant-based material to lower cities underground. Despite strong protests from the
conservatives, the first underground city was successfully subducted below the Surface in
2067. Within a short span of 72 years, humans began living underground, with their cities
illuminated by vines that transmit electricity from the electricity farms.

At the same time, a series of laws was put in place to prevent people from vandalising these proprietary GM plants. In 2061, legislation to ban unlicensed cutting
down of GM plants was first passed, followed by the requirement of a visa for citizens who wish to visit the ground above, now known as the Surface. To more
practically enforce these laws, the first batch of trained Park Rangers was dispatched to patrol GM farms and those caught for vandalism of the GM plants was given
the death penalty.

In 2081, with the relocation of government to the Government Tree Command above ground, a Notarised List of Plants to Protect (LoPP) was institutionalised. The
continual government support for the development of GM plants saw an increase in the allocation of the national budget towards the maintenance of GM farms
and research projects. This allocation reached 70% in 2144.
Progression of X-hb
In 2124, the first GM plant developed a heart and brain.

This was due to the wrong gene expression when the gene X-hb that had been originally
switched off had been expressed. Gene X-hb is a gene that codes for a heart and a brain in
humans, thus the wrong gene expression caused the GM plant to develop a human-like
consciousness over time.

This mutation is contagious and is able to spread to nearby GM plants. Over time, the number
of mutated GM plants began to populate above the ground, occupying 80% of the land by
2164.

From observing the two-legged monster (humans) who occasionally came up to visit them
from underground, the mutated GM plants came to learn about their existence and their
subservient relationship with humans.

Feeling used and exploited, they unite with a common goal: To destroy humanity.

In 2152, the baffling case of two GM workers disappearing in Electricus hit the headlines.
Investigations reached a bottleneck after the cause of their disappearances could not be
determined. With the murder, the situation reached a whole new level of severity.
SETH
Dark Rangers invented a device: Seth.
It assists agents in secretly destroying the
evil GM plants with its built-in motor and
blade. The blade will be released when
agents activate the button secured at the tip
of the shoe.

Despite many failed experiments with


different materials such as stainless steel,
silver, and iron, none had been effective
in killing the GM plants. After multiple
failures, Dark Rangers finally succeeded in
creating the ideal material for the blade by
synthesising titanium, iron and the strongest
GM plant.

The first successful field test of SETH was


conducted on May 7, 2169, and dispatched
17 mutant plants.
HeadQuarters & training facilities
About the project
Issue
The issue of GMO (genetically modified organism) has always been an area of contention.
Proponents of GMO would contend that genetic engineering is a sustainable way of
improving the inadequacy or flaws in the genes of natural organisms. However, we would
like to increase awareness on the important concerns surrounding the modification of
genes. Our project also raises ethical questions in the form of cross animal-plant species
genetic modification, bringing up the undesirability and negative consequences of
mutations. Mutations may take more than a century to surface, so eventually, the moral
of our story is: Dont be blinded by the pros of GM plants, and be aware of unintended
consequences. In our storyworld, the eventual over reliance of citizens and government
on GM plants for resources eventually takes a downturn when the plants mutates.

Prototyping
After discussing our issue and storyworld, our group decided that a way to reduce humans
reliance on genetically modified plants is to try to get rid of them. In our storyworld, plants
have been modified extensively to provide for all human wants and needs such as wifi,
electricity and water. However, the side effects of modification have kicked in after a century
and the extensively modified GM plants have developed a human-like consciousness. The
GM plants developed a heart and brain and have set out to take over humans. Thus, in order
to fit our prototype into the storyworld, we decided that coming up with a wearable is most
feasible as it aids our agents in completing their secret mission discreetly.

We thought that having a wearable on our legs will help our agents carry out mission more
conveniently than wearing it on our arm. To successfully get rid of the evil mutant plants,
we decided to attach a blade inside the shoe. The blade will be activated when our agents
step on the button secured at the tip of the shoe. Furthermore, having our prototype on
ground level will help our agents cut off the roots of the evil GM plants which will effectively
eradicate them.
CAMORPHFLAGE
SANCTUARIES
Greetings..
I bring an urgent message for Earth Inhabitants of 2017.

I am a high-tech, robotic organism from the year 2117.


As an ambassador from Camorphflage Sanctuaries, I have been
tasked to make a leap back in time and space to kickstart the
companys work in animal conservation...
100 years early.

Thus, we
started
The Human Races failure to care for the
planet created a dystopian future on
Earth in 2117. Upon realising Earth was no
60-70%
of ALL animal
work on...
longer inhabitable, they fled to the stars for
refuge.
species THE ULTIMATE

Animal Sanctuary
As they always do, Humankind
complained a whole lot about the new HAVE GONE EXTINCT.
living conditions in space.

The phrase 'Argh, this is SO not Earth!' The remaining 30% of species were
was heard often enough that the new transported to Not-Earth , as part of
planet was eventually named 'Not-Earth'. better-late-than-never conservation
measures.
The zoos of the old days, with their cruelty, have gone.
The Camorphflage Cooperation
To ensure the animals are undisturbed by guests such that their natural behav-
introduced cruelty and disruption-free iours are observable, scientists have produced an advanced robotic organism
named Rumby. He has the ability to camouflage a human in a way they can visit
animal sanctuaries on planet the enclosures without being any nuisance And dont worry! We have an emer-
Not-Earth. gency teleportation system ready at any sign of danger.

I, Rumbleroar, am here to beseach the Earth Inhabitants of year 2017 to


With highly advanced technology, an endless kickstart and support the Camorphflage programme right here right now. It
has done wonders 100 years down the road but with just 20-30% of animals
amount of sanctuary space can fit into the interior left, there wasnt all that much to salvage.

of something as small as a suitcase. This ensures Lets help the people of both our times value and conserve the animals
around us. A number of world leaders have already been brought on a short
endless spaces for the animals to roam. jump into the future to ldrop by the Camorphflage Headquarters and learn
more before giving the go-ahead.

Invisibility Morphing
(stealth mode) (clone mode)
Rumby makes you undetectable by any animal. Morphs you into an animal for 20-30 minutes, so you
Usually used when encountering dangerous animals. can hang out with them in their natural habitat.
Only for tame animals.
Background
The Catcaller is a non-invasive nanotechnology that will allow us to catch cat abusers. An acceler-
ometer implanted in the cats body will detect any struggling motion, while a microphone implanted
in its left eye will detect any aggressive human sounds or the cats cries for help. In its right eye will
be implanted a camera, which will capture the features of the abuser and alert our headquarters. We
would immediately be able to activate our agents to apprehend the culprit at the scene. The culprit
will be slapped with a hefty $10,000 fine for their first offence, and jailed for life for the second.

Dealing with False Positives


Sensitive to movement and sound, only the specific two signals of
i. a cat struggling and
ii. meowing in distress or a humans aggressive tone
will trigger the camera.
Our linguistics experts have been
working with cats for the past 5 years and have deciphered their cries for help, allowing us to isolate
those sounds and enabling the microphone to only register a positive signal when it makes these sounds.

The Catcaller is a non-invasive nanotechnology that has been proven to not harm the cats. They will be
subjected to general anesthesia and then the devices will be implanted in them.
Arduino
Using a breadboard, we connected two Arduinos, making one a Slave and the other the Master. We used
three specific modules.

MAX4466 Electret
Microphone Amplifier
Evaluation
With the MAX4466 and ADXL335 connected to
We adjusted the sound sensor to
the Slave Arduino, we connected the OV6760 to
only output a positive signal when
loud enough decibels were detected. the Master and connected it to our computer,
where the recorded image was sent. However, the
prototype was too bulky and fragile and contained
too many wires. We had to find a way to stream-
ADXL335 3-axis line our system.
Accelerometer
This enables the Arduino to sense
motion on the x-, y- and z-axes. We
toggled the sensitivity to only output
a positive signal when it is shaken
violently.

OV7670 Image Sensor


This Arduino camera module was
programmed to only capture an
image when it detects positive out-
puts from both the MAX4466 and
ADXL335.
Programming the Raspberry Pi
We found that using a Raspberry Pi to replace the Master Arduino would greatly streamline the physical
bulk and complexity of our second prototype. With the good work from the Slave intact, we then
proceeded to transfer our camera system to the Raspberry Pi.
We also learned the coding language of Python and wrote the
programme from scratch, before transferring it to a Micro SD Card.
We programmed the Raspberry Pi to automatically start-up and
operate as soon as power is supplied in the form of a Power Bank
to its mini-USB port. Using a HDMI port, we connected the
Raspberry Pi board to a monitor screen. We also connected a mouse
via a USB port to allow us to pull up the image as soon as it is
captured.

New Camera Implementation


We also discovered that there is an easier and more relevant
camera for the Raspberry Pi - the Pi NoIR camera module. Aside
from being much easier to attach to the Raspberry Pi without the
use of wires, it also does not employ an infrared filter, giving us the
ability to see in the dark with infrared lighting.
Making the Cat Model.
To create the model, we lined the outside of a cardboard box with fur.
This houses the breadboard, Arduino and Raspberry Pi. We cut a hole in
the back end where HDMI and USB wires can run from the Raspberry Pi
to the computer and mouse respectively. For the models head, we cut
a smaller cardboard box into half and taped the two together. We also
cut 2 holes in the box and fur lining to create openings for the MAX4466
and camera as its eyes.

We then used wires to extend the MAX4466 to reach the models left
eye. With the camera extended to its right eye, this would mirror the
functions and locations of our final product.

Cat model without fur. Let's talk nanotech.


This technology is, at present, completely unsafe to be implanted in cats. However, we are work-
ing with the best scientists in the world to create nanotechnology implants that will be able to
communicate wirelessly with each component and transmit the image to our headquarters.

Save the cats, Save the world. Join the Crusaders today.
Taught by Professor Andrew Quitmeyer
| Cover Design by Elaine Yeoh Tze Tsin |

National University of Singapore


Communications and New Media Department

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