Temple of Fortune transforms Chinese fortune-telling traditions into an interactive shrine installation. Using RFID sensors, pressure detection, and projection mapping, the installation responds to visitors with real-time animations and lighting. The project combines Arduino interactions, Unity animations, and TouchDesigner projection mapping to create an immersive experience that bridges cultural storytelling with modern technology.
Temple of Fortune was born from our shared experiences as three ethnically-Chinese teammates who grew up visiting temples and experiencing fortune-telling as part of our cultural heritage. Recognizing that many people are unfamiliar with these traditions beyond stereotypes, we created an interactive installation that authentically introduces Chinese fortune-telling practices through modern technology. It invites visitors to engage with the contemplative, ritualistic aspects of fortune-telling in a way that bridges cultural understanding and breaks down stereotypes.
As my team's Physical Computing & Programming Lead, I led the full technical development, ensuring seamless interaction between sensors, software, and projection mapping. My responsibilities included hardware circuit design, embedded programming with Unity integration, projection mapping with lighting control, and system optimization through debugging.
When a user sits down, a pressure sensor detects presence, triggering an audio introduction in Unity.
The user chooses from five symbolic offerings (e.g., oranges for luck, lotus for new beginnings).
The RFID sensor detects the offering, sending data to Unity to trigger a matching animation and audio response.
After the fortune animation, a specific cabinet lights up, guiding the user to their physical fortune scroll.
The user opens the illuminated cabinet and retrieves a physical fortune, completing the ritual.
Detailed documentation of this project can be found in my development posts, technical writeup, and final documentation on my NYU blog.