Operating Instructions:
- The device turns on automatically, along with other educational and entertaining elements in the MOTIO center.
- Approach the exhibit from the front.
- Swing your hand (approximately horizontally, above the waist) into the space to momentarily break the path of both beams. The measurement works in both directions, moving from right to left and vice versa.
- The speed is calculated automatically and displayed on the monitor.
Interactivity: An artistically designed setup measures the speed of the hand swing and determines the parameters in the section of the path of the participating visitor. The measuring device consists of two downward-pointing safe laser light beams. By interrupting their flow in a fraction of a second (not making contact with any obstacle), the system calculates the speed of the participant’s limb movement and displays the result on the large screen. In short intervals, many participants can take turns in the fun game. The results are varied and often surprising.
Educational Significance: What kinetic potential does the energy of motion have? Who can imagine the speeds we can achieve? The International Space Station (ISS) orbits above Earth at approximately 27,000 km/h – 400 km distance from the planet’s surface, a commercial airplane at approximately 900 km/h – 10 km, and a glider at approximately 100 km/h – 3 km. How would we register them in a close flyby? Every living creature is able to develop a certain degree of speed. Estimating its gradient, when converted to metric units, can reveal how inaccurate subjective perceptions of one’s own abilities are. Just try to determine the potential speed of human limbs using this contactless, yet interactive, exhibit.
