Sep: 'I like when people can interact with the projects I make.'
As part of an assignment on animacy, third-year Design Art Technology student Sep van der Spiegel developed a small robot that resists being switched off. Sep’s work often invites interaction, exploring how even minimal behaviour can suggest agency in non-living objects.
Inspired by the Useless Machine
The project is inspired by the “useless machine,” a device that shuts itself off as soon as it is turned on. Here, that logic is reversed. Instead of complying, the robot attempts to persist.
Electronics and Control
Once activated, the machine immediately starts to move. It rotates away from an approaching hand, keeping just enough distance to avoid being turned off. For the electronic parts he used an ultrasonic distance sensor, a small TFT display, a DC motor and some relays to control the motor.
Looks and movement
Built from cardboard with visible electronics, the object has a DIY aesthetic. The slightly unstable, somewhat clumsy movements suggest that the robot is doing more than merely moving in a functional way.
What is Design Art Technology?
The bachelor Design Art Technology is an interdisciplinary course where art, technology, and design converge. Students work experimentally with a wide range of media and themes, such as creative technology, coding (studio), sound design, and projections, while developing a critical and research-driven approach to contemporary issues.
