The exhibition in a darkened space in Pavilion D will feature, for example, David Vrbík’s laser string instrument, which combines technology and music. "It will be an interactive musical instrument that we will tune in harmony with the other instruments included in the exhibition," said Vrbík.
In the dark stage area, visitors can also look forward to the interactive game Banger for a Princess, developed by students from the FEE CTU, DAMU, and UMPRUM as part of the Institute of Intermedia. The game is based on controlling the player through a camera system. Another featured project will be SOMOHEX. "SOMOHEX musically uncovers answers to questions arising at crossroads — often life crossroads as well. This young independent six-member group exists on the border between electronic music and audio apocalypse. Every listener will find something for themselves. Perhaps by accident," mysteriously explained Bc. Jakub Štulík, one of the co-authors of the project and a student of Electronics and Communications, referring to the project in which traffic lights play an important role.
Another contribution to the technological show will be the so-called Rubens’ tube. "It is a physics experiment in which sound waves can be visualized using fire. A metal tube is drilled with dozens of small holes in a row, from which flames emerge. When sound is introduced into the tube, standing waves are created thanks to the reflection of sound from the opposite end," explained Bc. Jáchym Víteček, a student of Open Informatics. "At some points in the tube, the flames become larger, while at others they become smaller. Just play music and a fire show appears," he added.
Ing. Jakub Dvořák will also present a super-fast stroboscope. "Unlike conventional stroboscopes, my stroboscope is controlled by an audio signal. This makes it possible to precisely adjust the light intensity curve as needed — both the flashing frequency and the pulse shape. My stroboscope differs from ordinary ones through the use of RGB and white light, which can be controlled independently. For example, the flashing of individual colors can be separated in time, creating an interesting effect when an object moves in front of the lights," described Ing. Dvořák. Tesla coil enthusiasts will also be well represented, both through the work of Ing. Marek Novotný from the Department of Circuit Theory at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the group Crazy Electronics.
"During the day, we are planning smaller performances for the general public. Then, starting at 8:00 PM, everything will culminate in a dynamic Vektroscope Jam for makers," pointed out David Vrbík, adding that the special guest of the jam session will be performer Leoš Hortl, also known as HRTL.
The very beginning of the dark stage program will belong to speed — children and adults alike can try out a racing simulator and experience the feeling of being on a race track under the supervision of members of the student team EFORCE Prague Formula.
A robotic finale and soldering magic
But you will also encounter the Faculty of Electrical Engineering outside Pavilion D! On Sunday, visitors should not miss the exciting final of the Robotic Competition for elementary schools and corresponding grades of grammar schools. Sixteen teams — the best from the April qualification rounds — will send their robots into the arena in Pavilion E. The competition begins at noon sharp.
The three-member teams construct their robots using LEGO Mindstorms, LEGO Spike, and the Brian kit developed at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. This year’s theme is Tetris Puzzle. The goal is to build and program a robot capable of independently moving as many pieces as possible into color-marked squares in the corners of the playing field within a 90-second time limit, without any additional assistance. The robot may also attempt to assemble 4×4 squares from pieces of the same color, and the completed square must be placed within the matching colored square marked on the field. If successful, teams receive bonus points.
"In addition to the Robotic Competition final, we will also have a booth called ROBOSOUTĚŽ, or the Robotic LEGO Corner,” added Dr. Martin Hlinovský, the main organizer of the Robotic Competition. "The Robotic LEGO Corner will allow the youngest participants, approximately three to eight years old, to play with LEGO and build whatever they want. Interested visitors will also be able to try out the new Brian kit, designed for teaching robotics and based on the concept of the successful LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit. It supports both block-based programming (Scratch) and text programming (Python),” explained Dr. Hlinovský from the Department of Control Engineering.
Younger children in Pavilion E will undoubtedly also enjoy the program prepared by the student outreach club wITches. "Would you like to dive into the secrets of electrical engineering and robotics? With us, you can solder your own magic wand or cat-shaped gadget, or try guiding an Ozobot through a maze. And if you are musically inclined, you can perform a symphony on a banana piano,” added Bc. Matěj Martínek, chairman of the club and a student of Electronics and Communications.
Photo Credit: Petr Neugebauer
