workshop: werkgroep wearables

I'm currently participating in a workgroup of artists and designers at the Digitale Werkplaats (Digital Workspace) at the Centrum Beeldende Kunst 's-Hertogenbosch. The workgroup takes place approx two weekends a month until the end of 2009.

The workgroup is lead by Anna Maria Cornelia De Gersem and Paul van Bavel. There are about 10 participants and so far it has been really enjoyable and interesting. :)

concept overview

Computer technology is mainly used to perform tasks that most humans find difficult, e.g., repetitive processes, large calculations, accurate timing, etc. Most of us are quite happy for computers to take care of these jobs for us because we don't enjoy them and computers do them very well.

But there are other things that many humans find difficult and don't enjoy that are less logic-based and therefore not considered suitable jobs for computers. These are often things we consider to be deeply human. Can computers help us perform these tasks as well?

concept development

Difficult tasks computer technology can help us with:

progress: planner

Progress updates will be posted per project:

2010

apology helmet handshake trainer face brace empathy enforcer
week 3
18/01-24/01
  • take photos for design documentation
  • take photos for technical documentation
  • test accelerometer with vibe motors
  • finalise feedback for GSR sensor
  • finalise feedback for pressure sensor
  • duration?
week 4
25/01-29/01
  • make video
  • deliver everything to den Bosch before 17h
  • deliver everything to den Bosch before 17h??

2009

apology helmet handshake trainer face brace empathy enforcer
week 37
07/09-13/09
  • email v2 about vstamp
  • decide which hardware to use: wave shield
  • define exactly what the helmet should do
  • see what is possible with the wave shield library
  • design helmet controls
  • research + define characteristics of a good handshake
  • email arthur elsenaar about smile muscles
week 37
general stuff
  • write description of concept
  • write process of how final concept was reached
  • write results of so far
  • write plan of how to proceed the next few months
week 38
14/09-20/09
  • research materials (bike/skate helmets)
week 39
21/09-27/09
  • make helmet cover
  • research technology
  • design measurement/ feedback
  • sew first examples of glove minus technology
week 40
28/09-04/10
  • finish programming and test controls
  • research technology more
  • make new prototype
week 41
05/10-11/10
  • get help with programming
  • what options do i have for controls?
  • program accelerometer
  • program grip sensor
  • program sweat-detector
week 42
12/10-18/10
  • start bulding prototype
  • test prototype
week 43
19/10-25/10
week 44
26/10-01/11
  • make sketch of how final helmet should look
  • working prototype ready
  • get help with programming
  • can i use a microchip minus arduino board to reduce size?
  • make sketch of how handshake glove could look
  • working prototype ready
week 45
02/11-08/11
  • find out more about electrodes on facial muscles
  • research which situations require a smile
  • work through concept more
  • research technology/possibilities
  • define exactly what the piece does
week 46
09/11-15/11
  • write feasibility/planning for this piece
week 47
16/11-22/11
  • buy fabric for finished product
week 48
23/11-29/11
  • finish handwork on helmet cover
week 49
30/11-06/12
  • embroider labels at fablab
week 50
07/12-13/12
  • finished product ready to be photographed