ECHO

Type:

Wireless communication

Physical Computing

Data Visualization

Installation

Teammate:

Angelina Zhang

Instructor:

Craig Douglas

Time:

2024

ECHO explores the interplay between humanity and the atmosphere through a two-part installation, comprising the Sensor Cube and the Sentinel Cube, which collaboratively examine and interpret the atmospheric dynamics shaping our changing climate.

The Sensor Cube, a compact and mobile device, journeys through various environments to monitor subtle
atmospheric changes. It gathers real-time data on carbon dioxide, methane, temperature, and humidity
from locations as varied as busy urban centers, serene natural landscapes, and industrial sites. This data is
transmitted to the cloud, activating responses in the stationary Sentinel Cube within the exhibition space. Whencritical thresholds are breached, both cubes emit a red flash, serving as a visual alarm for the situation.

The Sentinel Cube, stationed in the ArtLab, serves as the focal point of ECHO, translating atmospheric datatransmitted by the Sensor Cube via Wi-Fi into a striking visual display. Its interior mechanisms respond
dynamically to real-time environmental inputs, releasing mist when greenhouse gas levels exceed critical
thresholds. This mist reduces the cube’s transparency, while moss inside absorbs the moisture and begins to thrive—a metaphor for ecosystems adapting and functioning under environmental stress.