Sketch Two Concepts

For Sketch Two we came up with three concepts that involve wearable technology. Below is our model, Jacques, proudly displaying all the concepts, as well as a description of the concepts. 

Concept One: Fiber-Optic Hair Lights

The first concept looks at the idea of communication through movement, inspired by how animals communicate through body language and color. It would connect different types of movements and use lit-up fiber optics in the hair as an output. Depending on the speed and patterns of one's movements, certain colors would light up in the hair as an effect of the movement. We also wanted to play with the idea of intimacy. In this case, if the wearer comes into contact with another person, the LED's embedded in the hairpiece would brighten or flare up. 

To realize this idea technically, we would use accelerometers to detect the direction and speed of movement, incorporate RGB LED's and fiber-optics into a hairpiece, and use a glove which would act as a touch sensor for detecting human contact (skin is conductive, so skin contact would complete the switch circuit sewn onto the glove).

Concept Two: Furry Night Friend

This concept takes the form of a furry friend that sits on the shoulder to act as a companion for those who are afraid of the dark. Embedded into a scarf, the creature responds to a dark environment via a light sensor that detects this. The creature would then light up (through LED's) and softly purr (through vibration sensors, which would ideally activate upon human touch), allowing for both the wearer and the creature to be sources of comfort for one another. 

Concept Three: Defence Suit

Inspired by defence mechanisms that animals take when sensing danger (such as embedding themselves into a tree bark of similar color), this concept explores the idea of the personal bubble through the form of a suit that expands as an act of defence. When proximity or loud noises are sensed, the suit would expand from its current shape to perk up and make the wearer look bigger and more intimidating, yet remaining sculptural and elegant. Areas to consider for changing in shape are the shoulders, neck, and elbows, where extra material can be added for an inflated effect. 

Realization of this idea would require motors that move wires underneath the suit to facilitate the change in shape. We would also be looking at sound and proximity sensors to detect loud sounds and proximity. We would also need to consider how the user can control these actions to prevent the suit from accidentally going off against their will. We would most likely create a switch where the user can control exactly when the suit inflates.