Music Gumball Machine
Tangible Interaction
This is an imaginative, interactive installation that reimagines a traditional gumball machine as a generative tactile instrument. Blending nostalgia with physical computing, the project invites viewers to co-create an unpredictable auditory journey through the selection and randomness of color.  check our demo on p5js  

Physical Computing, Kelin Guang
Physical Computing & Fabrication, Peiyu Eva Zhou

Technical Details: Arduino, Adafruit Music Maker MP3 Shield, TCS34725 color sensor, p5.js, custom-fabricated mechanical structure, breadboards, and hand-soldered circuitry.


Participants dispense between one to five gumballs from the custom-fabricated machine. As the random-color balls fall into the tray, an integrated color sensor detects their specific hues in real-time. This sensory data is instantly processed to trigger distinct musical ambiances and a symphony of corresponding melodies through an MP3 shield, turning a familiar childhood ritual into a delightful, multi-sensory performance.