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WeChat_20241211031120.mp4Our project was primarily inspired by real-life Formula 1 racing. As an avid Ferrari fan, I often find it frustrating to see my favorite team lose seemingly guaranteed victories due to poor tactical decisions or pit stop strategies made by the manager. I’ve frequently come across online comments where fans jokingly say, “If I were in charge of strategy, we’d definitely win!” This inspired me to create a simple game where players make strategic tire-changing decisions based on random weather changes. In this project, participants must decide whether to change tires according to shifting weather conditions. There are three types of tires: soft, hard, and wet tires, each with different speeds depending on the weather. The player with the shortest total time after ten laps wins. During user testing, our instructor suggested adding sound effects to make the game environment more immersive. Building on this idea, we not only added sound effects but also enhanced the visuals by making the track and cars in Processing more vibrant and animated. Additionally, we incorporated day and night transitions to better reflect weather changes and make the gameplay more engaging.
We used Arduino to build the circuit, enabling the yellow and red lights representing weather conditions to light up alternately at random intervals. Different colors of LED strips were used to represent different types of tires, and players could simulate changing tires by turning a potentiometer. In Processing, we designed a circular track on a lawn, with a top-down view of the race car moving along the track’s circular path at varying speeds based on tire selection. For the tire models, we used laser cutting to create the outer casing of the tires, then connected the inner and outer components with cardboard. LED strips were wrapped around the outer layer to simulate different tire types. The car model was built using cardboard and wood panels, carefully cut and joined with hot glue. After precise measurements and data provided by Fred, we successfully assembled the final car model, allowing players to physically step into the vehicle. Additionally, we implemented a displacement sensor: if a player leaves the car to change tires, the car stops immediately and will only resume when the player returns within a certain range. We initially considered creating a physical track for a remote-controlled car to race on, but the feasibility was low due to the difficulty of constructing a circular track. We also contemplated allowing players to change real tires, but this idea was deemed impractical because it would require significant time and labor and might damage the car’s structure.
The primary goal of our project was to create an engaging and interactive simulation of strategic decision-making inspired by Formula 1 racing. We sought to design a game where participants could experience the impact of real-time tire-changing strategies influenced by unpredictable weather conditions. Reflecting on our outcomes, we successfully achieved this objective, creating an immersive and enjoyable experience that combined creativity, technical precision, and dynamic gameplay. Audience interaction during testing revealed that participants engaged actively with the game, particularly appreciating the weather-driven randomness and the day-night transitions, which added depth to the experience. Players enjoyed making strategic decisions and exploring the effects of different tire types. This behavior aligned well with our definition of interaction: fostering thoughtful decision-making while maintaining a sense of fun and challenge. If given more time, several enhancements could further elevate the project. For instance, we could refine the visuals by incorporating more realistic animations and a wider range of weather conditions. Adding features like multiplayer functionality or adaptive difficulty settings could also deepen engagement. Additionally, improving the hardware setup—such as integrating a more compact and robust car model—would enhance the physical interaction experience. Throughout this process, we encountered challenges that provided valuable learning opportunities. For example, the initial difficulty in calibrating the displacement sensor taught us the importance of iterative testing and precise measurement. Similarly, the technical constraints of creating a physical racing track reinforced the need to balance ambition with feasibility. Despite these setbacks, our project’s accomplishments were deeply rewarding. The final product showcased not only our technical skills in Arduino and Processing but also our ability to create a cohesive and immersive narrative. This experience underscored the importance of blending functionality with creativity to design interactive projects that resonate with users. Ultimately, this project demonstrated the unique value of integrating technology and design to simulate real-world scenarios in engaging ways. It also highlighted the importance of adaptability and collaboration in overcoming challenges. These lessons will undoubtedly inform our future endeavors and continue to inspire innovative approaches to interactive design.
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