Ubi.ach is a doll that connects to one’s personal email box and reads out messages according to the predetermined user preferences. Its’ user has the ability to preset the importance of different words or contacts, enabling Ubi.ach to react accordingly when a new email is received. The two main components of Ubi.ach are the doll module, and a transmitter module, serially connected to a networked laptop or computer. Once a transmitter is connected to the computer, the user needs to update his/her email and password, run our custom written code and set the different options to set the personalized doll’s reactions.
Background
Technology today has become more than disruptive to us users with pagers, cell phones, instant messaging, and different alerts on our computers. These “helpful means of technology” have slowly become more than intruding to the primary task at hand. This breaks our concentration and hence, interrupts our work-flow.
Ubi.ach brings that extra layer of information to the user, but by a means of peripheral, sensory awareness. In search of using calm technology, we have come up with a friendly-looking stuffed-doll that connects to the owner’s personal email account. Using text analysis algorithms, text-to-speech technology alongside with radio frequency communications and LED’s, we’ve built an alternative first interface for email connectivity.
Ubi.ach reacts to new emails in various manners: from blinking LEDs, to small motor movements, to reading text from the email out loud. Therefore it is possible for anyone, anywhere in the world, to send personal recorded messages to the doll, which can be heard by the doll’s owner.
Technology
We have implemented Ubi.ach using Bluetooth as a method for both the data and voice channels between the doll and the web. After an initial hardware configuration, the doll is set to go. However, there must be a bluetooth enabled computer in the vicinity of the doll for it to work properly, connect and react to online content.
Exhibitions
- ITP fall 2006 show
- Ubicomp 2006, Orange County