Lion Dance VR Revival
StarLight Garden
Light Parasites
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About StarLight Garden
Moonlight Garden is an Arduino-based micro-interactive ecological installation that combines mechanical bionics and digital interaction. In the 20cm × 20cm quiet garden, a 3D printed flower that closes and a glowing firefly (mechanical model) live together. When the audience approaches and touches the leaves, the garden responds through dynamic mechanical movements, soft light gradients and natural sound effects, creating a fairytale-like immersive experience.
Motivation
Inspired by the fragile beauty of fireflies—nature’s living lanterns—our project confronts the silent crisis of light pollution. As artificial brightness drowns out their delicate glow, fireflies vanish, symbolizing humanity’s unchecked disruption of ecosystems. Through this interactive garden, we transform their struggle into an immersive dialogue: when users approach, the fireflies’ mechanical dance and fading light mirror their real-world vulnerability. By fusing art and technology, we invite reflection on our collective footprint—not to chastise, but to rekindle wonder. Every touch, every interaction whispers: What if we chose to reduce our interference with nature, so theirs may shine again?
3D Structure
We first used SolveSpace software to simulate the mechanism of insect wings, verifying the mechanical feasibility of their flapping motion. Then, based on bionic principles, we completed the 3D modeling of the flower structure and the insect body using Rhino software. All components were fabricated using photosensitive resin via SLA 3D printing and finally assembled into a functional biomimetic mechanical device.
Flower
Insect
Codes and Circuits
As the core hardware interaction developer of the project, I independently completed development of the Arduino system. On the hardware level, I tested and selected five categories of key components, including the MPR121 touch sensor, VL53L0X laser ranging sensor, and servo motors. Through comparative performance experiments, I ultimately determined the optimal hardware solution to ensure precise realization of all predefined interactive functions. For circuit design, I utilized the EasyEDA tool to complete schematic designs and produced comprehensive circuit diagrams.
I designed three distinct motion sequence schemes based on interaction requirements and developed the Arduino control program with guidance from the tutor. Particularly for the core functionality of controlling flower blooming and insect wing movements via servo motors, I conducted meticulous parameter tuning, testing different rotation angles to achieve the most natural and fluid visual effects.
Throughout the development cycle, I independently resolved various technical challenges including mechanical structure adaptation, providing robust technical support for the project's successful implementation. The final interactive system demonstrated stable and reliable performance, fully meeting the anticipated design objectives.
Final Project