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Short Info Fotobot – the mobile Internet portrait robot for storefronts. Date: 2000-2002 Client: Developed by Belleville Partly financed by Credit Suisse Group CLIENT Developed by Belleville Partly financed by Credit Suisse Group BELLEVILLE SERVICES - Idea and conception - Development and prototyping - Design of the device and application - Realization of 35 fotobot devices - Programming (Linux/Java/PHP, with partners) - Operation REQUIREMENTS One of Fotobot’s qualities is that it connects public environments with the world wide web. The device consists of a monitor, a camera and an infrared release, all of which are mounted to the inside of shop windows with suction cups. Passersby can take a self-portrait, by simply activating the infrared sensor. They can first view themselves on the monitor and position themselves to their liking. Upon taking the picture, it is immediately sent to the website where each and every portrait can be put to further use for e-cards, chat avatars, print orders and more. As of summer 2002, the self-portrait can be sent from the user’s mobile phone on site, either to a mobile phone with MMS capabilities or to an e-mail address. |
REALIZATION The device was invented by Belleville. It was fully developed within one year and three prototype stages. In 2000 the Credit Suisse Group was so charmed by Fotobot that they decided to place 30 Fotobots across the country in conjunction with the Expo.02 project Cyberhelvetia.ch. Over the course of 18 months, over one million por-traits were taken. After the exhibition at Expo.02, the Swiss Foundation of Photography took over what may well be the world’s largest collection of self-portraits. As a collective snapshot, it uniquely captures a telling moment of Switzerland’s society. Since 2002 Fotobot was used at several projects: Torino’s Biennale BIG 2002; [plug.in] Basel; www.readme.cc in Vienna, Paris, Budapest, Shekesfehervar, Lucerne, Solothurn, Zurich; www.rainbowNOTION.com in South Africa in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Soweto Kliptown, Grahamstown, Oudtshoorn. |
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