Machine Agency
Human Centered Design and Engineering, University of Washington
Our work harnesses the precision of machines for the creativity of individuals.
We are recruiting PhD students and postdocs! Read more about getting involved with Machine Agency.
Research
diagram showing live programming resulting from editing the code geometry dot translate 50 50, an example verso module, and an example toolpath visualization on screen and projected in-situ.
Verso
Exploratory digital fabrication often involves low-level machine programming, to which Verso adds within-code GUIs and expressive toolpath visualization.
Paper
example use of automation in community biolabs to create images using bacteria.
Studying Community Biolabs
From a qualitative study of community biolabs, we discuss how members are creating new approaches to laboratory biology with implications for systems that support non-traditional settings for scientifc practice.
Paper Teaser Presentation
collage of unconventional 3D prints created with our system.
p5.fab
A system for controlling digital fabrication machines from the creative coding environment p5.js, informed by insights into 3D printing practice.
Paper Teaser Presentation Code
Direct control of a machine (right) from Rhino/Grasshopper (left)
Interactive Digital Fabrication Machine Control Directly Within a CAD Environment
Enabling control of digital fabrication machines from a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) environment, including interactive control of toolpath geometry as well as machine parameters such as speed, acceleration, or jerk.
Paper
taxon transforms scattered resources for machine use to a unified language
Taxon
A language that encodes machines, workflows, and rules of thumb as programs. Taxon applies the safety and extensibility of programming to hands-on making.
Paper Short Talk Long Talk Code
collage of plots from plotter twitter
Studying #PlotterTwitter
We conducted a qualitative study of #PlotterTwitter and found that makers champion creative exploration of materials over a predictable series of steps.
Paper Video
collage of student projects from online digital fabrication courses
Teaching Digital Fabrication Online
Through interviews, we found that learning with hobbyist equipment and online social networks could emulate using industrial equipment in shared workshops.
Paper Video
two lamifold mechanisms
Lamifold
Lamifold is a workflow for making functional mechanical objects using a laser cutter.
Paper Video
CAD representation of Jubilee machine
Jubilee
Jubilee is an open-source hardware machine with automatic tool-changing and interchangeable bed plates.
Paper Video Wiki Github
Mockup of interface with language and GUI elements
Machine-o-Matic
Initial investigations into representing parts of fabrication workflows as programs.
Paper
Schematic Representation of Fabricatable Machine Modules
Fabricatable Machines
A Toolkit for Building Digital Fabrication Machines.
Paper Documentation
Various cardboard machine configurations
Cardboard Machine Kit
A framework for the rapid prototyping of rapid prototyping machines. Modular hardware, modular electronics, and modular software.
Paper Video
Popfab briefcase on a grassy field
Popfab
A portable, multi-purpose digital fabrication tool that folds into a briefcase.
Paper Video
Diagram of makerspace setup
Material Flow in Makerspaces
An investigation into the practices that makerspaces around the world use to keep track of their materials.
Paper
Agents
Nadya Peek
Nadya Peek
Assistant Professor
Gabrielle Benabdallah
Gabrielle Benabdallah
PhD Candidate
Sam Ferguson
Sam Ferguson
Undergaduate Student
Danli Luo
Danli Luo
PhD Student
Shenna Shim
Shenna Shim
Undergaduate Student
Blair Subbaraman
Blair Subbaraman
PhD Student
Jasper Tran O'Leary
Jasper Tran O'Leary
PhD Candidate
Hannah Twigg-Smith
Hannah Twigg-Smith
PhD Candidate
Field Agents