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Concept | Radical Signals

A bio-hybrid system where plant activity shapes technological behaviour

Radical Signals is an interactive multisensory installation exploring how biological and technological systems can coexist and influence each other.

The project connects plant sensing, human physiological signals and soft robotic actuation to create a responsive environment where living organisms and technological systems participate in the same behavioural system.

Rather than representing life, the installation behaves as a bio-hybrid organism in which signals, delays and reactions generate emergent behaviour.

Within this system, plant activity influences technological responses, shaping the movement of a pneumatic artificial flower, light dynamics and a generative soundscape.

By translating biological signals into slow multisensory behaviours, the project challenges conventional human-centered interaction models and explores a distributed relationship between plants, humans and machines.

The title Radical Signals refers both to plant roots (radicals) and to a radical shift of perspective: a system where plant signals begin shaping technological behaviour.

State of the Art / Concept Development

This project builds upon the initial proposal presented in the Implication and Application assignment (Week 13).

The project evolved through several conceptual stages during the research and prototyping process.

  1. Interactive Garden (initial idea) - Presentation Proposal The project initially explored the idea of an interactive environment where plants could communicate their internal states through responsive elements such as pneumatic flowers, light and sound.

The aim was to make invisible biological processes perceptible through sensory interaction.

  1. Radical Signals (system perspective) - Mid Term Project Presentation As the research progressed, the installation began to be framed not as a simple interface but as a system composed of multiple interacting agents.

The focus shifted toward the relationships between plant signals, human physiological input and technological behaviours such as movement, light and sound.

  1. Radical Signals (current concept) - For Final Presentatiob The project eventually developed into a bio-hybrid system exploring a more-than-human perspective.

Rather than using technology to monitor or control nature, the installation investigates how plant activity can influence technological behaviour.

Within this small ecosystem, plant signals shape the responses of artificial components, while human presence introduces additional perturbations into the system.

Project Presentation Proposal on Canva, Carlotta Premazzi, 2025/2026 Biolab Lisbon.

Mid Term Project Presentation on Canva, Carlotta Premazzi, 2026 Biolab Lisbon.

5 Ws who, what, when, where, why

who

The installation involves three types of agents:

  • a living plant whose activity influences the system
  • human participants whose physiological signals introduce perturbations
  • a technological system translating biological signals into behaviour Rather than positioning the human as the central controller, the project explores a distributed relationship between biological and technological actors.

what

Radical Signals is an interactive installation composed of:

  • a plant sensing system capturing plant activity
  • a heartbeat sensor recording human physiological signal
  • a microcontroller-based control system
  • a pneumatic artificial flower functioning as a soft robotic body

Plant signals are translated into multiple forms of technological behaviour, including:

  • pneumatic movement of the artificial flower
  • reactive light behaviour integrated into the structure
  • a generative soundscape derived from plant activity

Together, these elements form a bio-hybrid system in which biological signals shape the behaviour of artificial components.

when

The project is developed during Fabricademy 2025–2026 as an evolving research-based work.
It is conceived as a modular system that can grow and adapt over time.

where

The installation is intended for exhibition spaces, such as: - galleries
- museums
- festivals
- immersive environments

The system can be adapted to different spatial configurations.

why

Technological systems are commonly designed to monitor, optimise, or control living organisms. Radical Signals explores an alternative perspective by investigating how plant activity can influence technological behaviour. By creating a bio-hybrid feedback loop between plant signals, technological systems, and human presence, the project proposes a technological ecosystem where plants are not passive objects of measurement but active agents shaping artificial behaviour. The installation invites audiences to experience technological systems not only as tools of control, but as environments where biological and artificial processes coexist and influence each other.

Feedback & Mentoring notes

First Presentation
  • OSCAR — try to work on the mapping with the human and non-human data and the interaction possibilities. Select a place to work on to try it.
  • ANASTASIA — there is a lot of work coming from Ars Electronica. have a look at the final project of gabriela lotaif. you can think of making the flowers with bioplastic, you can also add essence/fragrance. https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/1st-3d-printed-inflatable-flower-just-gimmick-22868/ https://starts.eu/hungryecocities/ppe/le-terre-di-zoe-betiana-pavon/ https://koyne.org/Betiana-Pavon explore the option of making the flowers yourself, with biomaterials, they are hydroscopic and you can use this property to create a semi-artificial landscape. logistics wise it will be easier
  • CECILIA — Carlotta, i love the topic - the project is very ambitious! i am happy you made 3 plans - to ensure its happening. I will send you some links later, i think you may enjoy the work of Spela Petric > projects such as Pl'AI and breathing garden & also the work of …
  • CLAUDIA — lovely concept and topic. nice presentation and mood! Great idea of making the interactive installation with other beings. The installation is going to be tailor made for the plants in Portugal? Check the project by the teamlab and the one in Osaka there is also bioluminiscence. what will be the most challenging part in the project?
  • LOUISE — it looks like you have thought quite thorough about your project already! I am wondering how you can tackle the ecological aspect of the soft robotics to have a vertuous loop from the plant to biodegradable soft robotics. As reference, a great exhibition around plants: https://www.fondationcartier.com/en/programme/exhibition/trees
  • CAROLINA — Carlotta, great research and presentation. Next time, consider limiting presentations to a maximum of 20/25 slides so you move faster and focus on the essentials. We need to visit other green locations and choose plants to work with. Good work! Congratulations!
  • DIANE — Love this idea of an interactive garden installation! Depending on the size of the installation you will need to have the necessary power supply for your system, and it can be very different depending on how/if you connect this all together; you will need to test that every interaction works, but also the whole circuit, to-size
  • ANNIE — Reconnecting humans with living systems, I feel exactly the same… “All my relations”… everything is connected (wind, humidity, air particles, fungi, etc.). the Brazilian forest is partly fertilized by microparticles from an old lake in Africa picked up by the wind. I think your project can highlight those invisible interrelations. congratulations — it is really fun
  • PORPLA — Plant intelligence and human interaction is very intriguing, love that you bring up energy and frequency as well, really interested to see how your project evolve

working doc

Symbiotic EcoSystem notionsite

Learning outcomes

  • Research skills: the participant has acquired knowledge through references: concept development, research, where does the project innovate
  • Design skills: the participant has learnt through making a mood board, sketches/preliminary designs
  • Process skills: the participant is able to define their project in Who, What, When, Where, Why
  • Fabrication skills: the participant leant via simple quick prototypes or (material) samples
  • Final outcome: Personal Final Project page, sketch of project planning & first Gantt chart
  • Originality: Has the design and innovation been thought through and elaborated?

Student checklist

  • [ ] Set up your final project page, document the concept, sketches, artistic and scientific references
  • [ ] Answer the 5W: Who, What, When, Where, Why
  • [ ] Create a quick prototype of your concept. (physical, digital, collage or render)
  • [ ] Start a mood board to give insight in a first look and feel of your project concept