Christa Sommerer & Laurent Mignonneau: Mobile Feelings II. 2002/03

Tangible Biofeedback Communication Device
Users at the Ars Electronica are provided with specially equipped "Mobile Feelings" phone devices that resemble organic or bodily shapes. These devices host miniature bio-sensors and actuators that capture the users' heartbeat, blood volume pressure and pulse, skin conductivity, sweat and smell. All data can be sent to other anonymous users who can perceive and feel these most private sensations through actuators, vibrators, ventilators, micro-electromechanical and micro-bio-electrochemical systems which are also embedded in each "Mobile Feelings" device.

"Mobile Feelings" devices communicate with each other through a standard mobile phone network and users can move around freely to use their devices anywhere and anytime just like normal mobile phones.

Besides capturing and transmitting the various body data, the "Mobile Feelings" devices also display images of the other connected users. When a user touches her device and selects one of the displayed persons, she can receive this person's body sensations, through for example a tickle, a vibration, a small wind or humidity, a pulse, a push or a slight stroke, creating a strange and perhaps erotic ambiguity.

More info:
http://www.interface.ufg.ac.at/christa-laurent/WORKS/FRAMES/FrameSet.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• interactive
• art
• mobile
• phone
• technology
• touch
• sweat
• smell
• tangible
• interface