This was for a project for INFO 4320: Intro to Rapid Prototyping and Physical Computing taught by Francois Guimbretiere at Cornell University in Spring 2014. We were to make a Jack-In-The-Box-type project. 

 

I thought it would be really cool to make a Star Wars-themed box where you could open it using "the force." The ability to make the user "magically" open the box would be a really cool interaction to implement!

 

I was able to do this by using an infrared distance sensor hooked up to an Arduino Fio. When you move your hand closer to the sensor, the Fio powers a servo, which turns a rod, lifting up the lid of the box (and Darth Vader!). I made an early prototype out of cardboard before making this version. The box was made by using a laser cutter to cut and engrave acrylic. A video demo is embedded below.