projects
abstract:
imPulse is a modular design object that senses pulse and allows users to wirelessly transmit their heartbeat rhythms to companion imPulse units. By synchronizing light and vibrations with users’ personal heartbeats, these devices create intimacy across distance.
Heartbeat is a very personal expression of an individual’s bodily presence. Thus, a device that amplifies a user’s pulse evokes a deep emotional response almost automatically. The imPulse project proposes a technological interface for augmenting intimate or meditative moments between people at a distance by allowing users to share their pulse with one another, simply by placing both hands on an imPulse object.
Exploring the potential for people to share their internal body rhythms, the imPulse devices sense pulse through palm contact and wirelessly transmit heartbeats to companion imPulse units. The device is ergonomically designed to rest in users’ laps, and provides light flashes as well as vibration, presenting feedback about each user’s heart rate.
presented:
ITP Spring 2007 Show
CHI 2007, April 2007, San Jose
Sony Wonder Labs, July 2006, New York
The imPulse units can be placed on a table, stand, or podium for use, but they are best suited for resting in the lap of the user. When a device is powered on, its lights fade in and out with a default pulse, inviting potential interaction. An outline of hands on the surface of the object identifies the space where users should place their hands to engage the device. Once people place both of their hands on the specified location, the unit’s light panel stays on, telling the user that their touch has been recognized. Within a calibration period that lasts from one to seven seconds, the unit starts responding to the heartbeat of its user’s pulse. This response is implemented using an internal motor in addition to an LED panel, all synchronized to the heartbeat.
The top of the imPulse object is made with silicone, so it has a flexible surface which yields to hand pressure in a soft, satisfying manner. Two vibrating motors are affixed to the surface of each unit to provide haptic feedback about the rate of users’ heartbeats. One of the motors vibrates with the local user’s pulse and the other motor beats when the device’s radio receives a pulse signal from a remote user of an imPulse unit. Meanwhile, a remote user would enjoy a mirrored experience: one motor in sync with her own heartbeat, and the other in time with the partnered imPulse unit’s pulse. When the hands are taken off the unit, it goes back to its’ original state, until the next pair of hands are placed on the unit. The imPulse units are completely wireless, each containing a rechargeable battery. When more than one imPulse units are used within a detectable range, they automatically connect and share data. The different user’s heartbeats are passed across this wireless network, allowing each of the users to feel the other’s heartbeats on their personal units. An intricate connection is instantly formed, consisting of the different rhythms of all the user’s heartbeats within this spontaneous network. We have currently built two modules, but more can be easily added to the network.
The imPulse units are implemented using a variety of technical components, including: PIC microcontroller, motors, LED’s, Polar® heartbeat sensors and Maxstream®’s Xbee radios. The imPulse modules are programmed to connect wirelessly using Radio Frequency, over a wireless mesh network. Therefore, when a unit comes into the proximity of another, they automatically discover each other and make a connection. This is implemented using the Zigbee radio protocol. Specifically, we are using MaxStream®’s XBee radio chips. The distance between communication modules can reach up to 100 meters.
In order to receive and analyze the pulse readings, we inserted a Polar® heartbeat sensor chip within our circuit. This chip needs to connect to four different conductive leads, which must come in contact with the user’s hands. When setup properly, the chips pass along electronic pulses according to the user’s heartbeat. This data is fed to a PIC microcontroller which controls the behavior of the motors and LED panels based on readings from the pulse sensor.
