Turn a Polaroid into a Van Gogh portrait: this 1960 photo booth can do it, thanks to AI

Our teams constantly explore the potential of AI through projects like Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and ChatGPT. However, our curiosity went beyond just understanding AI – we wanted to find innovative ways to apply it in the physical world. During a brainstorming session, we posed the question, “How can we experience AI physically, beyond just a screen display?” That's when we noticed the old telephone system in the corner of the room, complete with dozens of plugs, iron headphones, and a large wooden cabinet full of wiring. It didn't take long before we had disassembled the system and laid it out on Kaliber's workbench for further exploration.

We soon realized that the old telephone system would be the perfect physical representation of our idea - an AI photobooth. We had a thought about Generative AI and how to use it: “How would art look if Studio  Ghibli would make Vaporwave style streetart or if Edward Hopper worked at Pixar?" Our concept involved using the system's plugs to apply various artistic styles and movements to the photos taken in the booth. The result would be a unique portrait that looks like it was created by different artists and influenced by various art styles. The final output would be a Polaroid print of the portrait, generated by AI.

Back in time

Before we could get our hands dirty with AI, we knew we had to fully understand the telephone system's technology. We really dug into the circuits and wiring and quickly realized that the decades-old cables needed to be replaced. So we got to work and replaced those outdated cables with fresh new ones that matched the plugs. We also added some new features, like a camera, printer and a motion sensor, and even threw in an old computer screen with a custom-built interface that gave us major 90s gaming vibes (think Fall Out and Pit Boy).

As we progressed, we curated a vast database of artists, art movements, and relevant terms such as "street art" or "oil painting," and meticulously linked them to specific plugs within the telephone system. After conducting thousands of trials and automated experiments in Stable Diffusion, we discovered the perfect combination: three rows of ten plugs, each row representing an artist, art movement, and art form. This unique setup allowed us to generate an image with Stable Diffusion in the backend. This is then printed as a Polaroid, resulting in a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

How to

But how do you explain how it works? An antique telephone switchboard still looks like a relic of the past. We fixed this with a few modifications. As you pass by, a motion sensor triggers a charming ring. Answer the call, and you're greeted by a friendly operator on screen, ready to guide you through the marvels of this device. The "Snap-a-tron Ultra 2000 Deluxe" isn't just a piece of history; it's a journey into the future, wrapped in the charm of the past.

With the software and AI humming and the hardware revamped, it was time to unveil the magic of the Snap-a-tron. At Tommy's Party in April, our clubhouse buzzed with clients, friends, and artists. The Snap-a-tron was the life of the party. A queue formed as people eagerly awaited their turn to dabble with the plugs and possibilities. The results were as diverse as the crowd, with photos morphing into everything from superhero portraits in the style of van Gogh to oil paintings reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli masterpiece.

Viral on Reddit

Beyond our clubhouse, the Snap-a-tron has been stealing the spotlight. Streamers and YouTubers have been raving about it (“Crazy Dutch Built This AI Machine!”), and retro-tech enthusiasts on Reddit have been flooding the comments such as, “Man, this is stuff right out of a retro-futurism sci-fi movie.” and “This is my 8th draft of trying to convey how bad ass this is. Words fail.”

On May 25, the Snap-a-tron made its live debut at the “AI For Good” event in Amsterdam. Regardless of your familiarity with AI, the Snap-a-tron promises an experience that transcends the digital realm. It's a tangible journey that brings the magic of artificial intelligence from the screen to your fingertips.

Want to know more about the Snap-a-tron Ultra2000 Deluxe? Send a message: fmeeuwsen@kaliber.net.