What does it do?

BLOOM is an interactive kinetic flower that responds to human presence. Using a PIR motion sensor, the system detects when a person approaches and activates a servo-driven mechanism that opens the flower petals. After a predefined period without movement, the petals automatically return to the closed position.

Beyond its mechanical function, the project explores a conceptual question inspired by perception and observation: does an artwork exist in the same way when nobody is observing it? The flower remains closed when no one is present and only reveals its complete form when an observer approaches, transforming presence itself into part of the artwork.

Who’s done what beforehand?

The project draws inspiration from kinetic sculptures, interactive installations, and biomimetic mechanisms that emulate natural movement. Artists and studios such as Refik Anadol, Random International, Studio Roosegaarde, Neri Oxman, and teamLab influenced the conceptual direction of the project through their exploration of interaction, perception, and responsive environments.

While similar interactive installations exist, the mechanical architecture, fabrication workflow, electronics integration, packaging system, and overall implementation were designed specifically for this project.

What did you design?

• Kinetic flower mechanism and motion transmission system.
• Custom 3D-printed structural components.
• Thermoformed petals.
• Custom PCB based on the XIAO ESP32-C3.
• Embedded software for sensing and actuation.
• Laser-cut packaging and internal support structure.
• The overall interaction concept and user experience.

What sources did you use?

• Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3 documentation.
• Servo motor and PIR sensor documentation.
• Rhino 3D documentation and CAD workflows.
• KiCad documentation for PCB development.
• Bambu Studio documentation for additive manufacturing.
• References from kinetic art, responsive installations, and digital fabrication projects.

What materials and components were used?

Materials

• PLA filament.
• FR1 copper-clad board for PCB fabrication.
• Micro-corrugated cardboard for packaging.
• Electronic wiring and connectors.
• Fasteners and assembly hardware.

Electronic Components

• Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3.
• PIR motion sensor.
• Servo motor.
• LED indicator.
• Switch.
• Resistors and pin headers.
• USB battery pack.

Where did they come from?

Most electronic components were sourced from local electronics suppliers and Fab Lab inventory. Filament, cardboard, FR1 boards, and assembly materials were obtained from local fabrication suppliers. Digital fabrication equipment was provided through Fab Lab Peru facilities.

How much did they cost?

The estimated material cost of the project was approximately USD 70–80, including electronics, fabrication materials, packaging materials, and assembly hardware. The estimate does not include machine usage time or labor.

What parts and systems were made?

• Mechanical actuation system.
• Thermoformed petal assembly.
• Custom electronic control board.
• Embedded sensing and control software.
• Battery-powered system.
• Protective packaging and transportation system.

What processes were used?

• CAD modeling.
• FDM 3D printing.
• Laser cutting.
• PCB design and CNC milling.
• SMD and through-hole soldering.
• Thermoforming.
• Embedded programming.
• System integration and testing.
• Packaging design and fabrication.

What questions were answered?

• How can a flower-like structure be actuated using a simple mechanical system?
• How can digital fabrication technologies be combined into a single artifact?
• How can motion sensing create a meaningful interactive experience?
• How can handcrafted processes such as thermoforming be combined with digital fabrication workflows?
• How can engineering, design, and artistic expression coexist within the same project?
• Can the presence of an observer become an active part of an artwork rather than merely its audience?

What worked? What didn’t?

What worked

• Reliable motion detection using the PIR sensor.
• Consistent servo-driven opening and closing mechanism.
• Successful integration of electronics, mechanics, and software.
• Effective thermoforming process for creating organic petal geometries.
• Stable operation using portable battery power.
• Successful combination of digital fabrication processes with manual forming techniques.

What didn’t

• Early mechanical versions generated friction and alignment issues.
• Initial PCB iterations required adjustments and testing.
• Some petal geometries required multiple thermoforming trials.
• Several assembly iterations were necessary to improve movement consistency.
• The mechanism was optimized for horizontal operation. If installed vertically, gravity would affect the position and movement of the petals, requiring additional mechanical compensation.

How was it evaluated?

The project was evaluated through multiple iterations, subsystem testing, and final integration trials. Mechanical performance, motion detection reliability, electronic functionality, structural stability, power autonomy, and user interaction were validated progressively throughout the development process.

The final prototype was tested under real operating conditions to verify the complete interaction sequence from user detection to petal actuation and automatic closing.

What are the implications?

BLOOM demonstrates how digital fabrication can be used not only to create functional systems but also to develop artifacts that encourage reflection and emotional engagement. The project combines engineering, electronics, programming, digital manufacturing, and handcrafted processes into a single interactive object.

By requiring the presence of an observer to reveal its complete form, the flower transforms interaction into part of the artwork itself. The project therefore functions both as a technical prototype and as a conceptual exploration of perception, presence, and observation.

More broadly, BLOOM illustrates how digital fabrication can serve as a bridge between engineering and artistic practice, opening opportunities for interactive installations, kinetic sculptures, responsive environments, and future explorations in computational and experiential design.