myWall

Evolving an experimental vertical plotter into a refined interactive installation anchored this work for Carlo Ratti Associati and Cassina. Developed within the context of Fablab Torino, the project aimed to transform any vertical surface into a large-scale dynamic display. The work focused on embedded hardware design, software development, and condensing a previously sprawling mechanical system into a single, elegant object capable of automated writing.

I engineered the system to house all necessary components—motors, electronics, power supply, and the drawing head—inside a compact 15-centimeter disk. The hardware architecture relied on custom Arduino boards, while the software framework was built in Processing to generate vector content and coordinate geometry. I modeled and fabricated the minimal enclosure using laser-cut acrylic and 3D-printed components, ensuring the mechanical movement remained smooth without jerking as the pen glided across the wall.

Scaling the prototype for a massive showroom wall introduced significant calibration challenges. Tiny mechanical errors amplified over the larger surface area, causing the gondola to drift and skew the drawn lines. I recalibrated the system overnight, measuring cable lengths millimeter by millimeter and adjusting the firmware to account for the new dimensions. I also iterated on the typography algorithms, tweaking fonts, kerning, and stroke thickness so the machine’s output resembled natural handwriting rather than robotic text.

The completed installation was exhibited during Milan Design Week at the Cassina space at Fuorisalone. Operating continuously throughout the event, the robot successfully drew the collection's colophon, validating the embedded architecture under live public conditions. This iteration bridged the gap between a raw technical prototype and a reliable, polished design object, proving that complex automated fabrication could be seamlessly integrated into high-end interior environments.