screaming cube

The screaming cube (May 2008, original project was untitled) was a project developed by students Casper Schipper and Antal Ruhl at Media Technology, Leiden University. A small black cube, made out of cardboard and paper, the size of a small lunchbox, would function as a holder for single candle. Light the candle, and let it be...

After some time and suddenly, the cube would emit high-pitched screechy sounds, reminiscent of human screaming. Simultaneously, it shakes violently, attempting to put out the candle. This bot fits both the emotional and helpess bot categories,

This project is a strong example of the "single aspect approach", in which all non-relevant aspects of the robot are abstracted away (hence the black-cube visuals) and only one single aspect of its creatureness is highlighted. The screaming cube expresses only a fear of being helplessly burned by the candle flame that comes ever closer and closer.