Cuckoo Clock

The Cuckoo Clock is a computer-controlled clock. Through software, a person can: set how often the cuckoo clock will ring (such as on the hour), specify an exact time for the cuckoo clock to ring (within a 12 hour cycle), and provide a sound for the ring. The cuckoo bird will also appear by pressing the physical button behind the second door, and the device can be turned on or off by a physical switch located on the left side of the box.

At its heart, a servo motor pushes or pulls a plank holding the cuckoo bird. A string attached to the same servo pulls the door closed when the cuckoo retracts back into the Cuckoo Clock. The on/off switch is implemented as a slider and the button is a force sensor, both attached to an Interface Kit.
see the video

The Creator

Jacelyn Campbell created this for her short assignment as part a senior-level human computer interaction class at the University of Calgary.

Created in March, 2002

Next exhibit: Disharmony