Index

Drip Drop

Using an Arduino-controlled relay module to activate water pumps based on EEG data, translating mental states into signal-driven paint flows that create new colours.

01: Testing

The system uses an Arduino microcontroller connected to a 4-channel relay module, controlling four 12V water pumps. Each pump is assigned a specific color, and EEG data determines their activation. The paint flow responds in real time to brainwave signals, creating patterns that reflect subconscious activity.

The brainwaves, reflecting different mental states, are mapped to specific colors. This was intended to map brain activity into visual indicators that can be intuitively ‘felt’.

  • Delta (Blue): Deep relaxation and calmness.
  • Theta (Green): Creativity and subconscious exploration.
  • Alpha (Yellow): Clarity and relaxed alertness.
  • Beta (Red): Energy and focus.

02: Troubleshooting and Refinement

Unintended dripping kept happening when the water level was higher the the output hose. The paint containers were positioned high above the pumps, which was resolved by aligning the container height with the pumps. The pumps also required a switch from a 9V to a 12V power supply to ensure reliable operation.

Initial relay connection errors, caused by directly grounding the pumps to the power source, were fixed by rewiring the ground to the relay and connecting the relay’s common ground to the power supply.

In the final setup, pump ground lines were connected to the relay module, positive lines shared a 12V power source, and Arduino digital pins controlled the relay channels, ensuring precise, signal-driven paint flow without unintended dripping.

To see further iterations, view prototypes. The water pumps themselves were also replaced with another model that could handle subtle interaction.