( 00-01 )
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Exploring Cute: What if microbes could perceive and respond to human affection?
"Cute Microbial World" is an interactive bio-digital installation that explores cuteness from a non-human perspective, bypassing human emotional projection. By housing three microbes:
Thermophilic Bacteria
Yeast
Slime Mold
in custom petri-dish devices, the project translates human gestures into physical data. This input feeds into a "Vitality Engine" that calculates microbial reactions, shifting the paradigm from purely scientific observation to visceral, multi-scale companionship.
( 00-02 )
CHALLENGES
Translating abstract biological data into intuitive human behavior
To machine systems, "cute" is quantified as calculated data (weight, light, density), whereas to humans, it is deeply emotional. The technical and design challenge was mapping specific human gestures directly to matching biological traits without relying on complex user instructions. Early prototypes revealed that abstract sensor layouts felt unintuitive, creating an opportunity to redesign device physics around universal behavioral instincts.
( 00-03 )
SUMMARY
3 systems paired with tailored sensors + real-time generative visuals
I developed three distinct physical-computing interfaces powered by an Arduino backend and real-time TouchDesigner visual feedback:
Thermophilic Bacteria (Squeeze + Heat): Capitalizing on its heat-loving nature, palm contact raises the temperature to trigger bacterial procreation. Concurrently, a Flex Sensor translates squeezing grips into "cute aggression," causing the digital microbes to dance and brighten playfully.
Yeast (Grip + Fermentation): Leveraging its tendency to cluster tightly, a Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) maps gripping pressure into real-time visual fermentation, where a tighter, single-handed grip accelerates bubble production.
Slime Mold (Tilt + Shake): Mirroring its natural slope-seeking behavior, an Accelerometer tracks tilting gestures to make the slime mold climb "uphill" digitally, while sudden shaking acts as a stress trigger that turns the network red and pauses growth.
Next Steps (Affordance Optimization): To enhance instinctive interactions, future iterations will wrap the squish devices in slow-rebound tactile materials and model the tilt devices after familiar childhood arcade maze and pinball toys.
( 00-03 )
DISCOVER MORE
