The idea behind [Robin Baumgarten]’s “Quantum Garden” is
engaging people through touch, sound, and light. Each of the 228 springs, surrounded by a Neopixel ring, is connected to one of the 12 inputs on an MPR121 capacitive touch sensor. The touch sensors and an accelerometer in the base detect which spring is sproinging and send that information to a pair of Teensies. A PC then runs the simulations that determine how the lights will react. The display is actually capable of some pretty complex responses, including full-on games. But the most interesting modes demonstrate principles of quantum computing, specifically stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP)

Coolest thing you’ll see today! Robin Baumgarten’s latest installation uses 228 door springs and 3,648 addressable LEDs to simulate a quantum computing problem.