This project explores the "evolution" of human beings in the information age, and proposes a new sense of the future in a humorous and witty form, thinking about the interactive relationship between people.
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Prologue
Can we create new senses for humans? (David Eagleman, 2015)
"Evolution" in information age
Because of different organisms live in the different environments , the information they need to receive is also different. For example, pigeons can sense magnetic fields, and rays can sense electric fields. These creatures have acquired new sensory experiences in order to better adapt to the environment in which they live. Hence, in the information age, what new sensory experience will human beings need to have to adapt to the digital life in the future?
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Starting point
Feelings—the connection between people, is constantly being diluted in the digital age. The development of the virtual world attracts people to invest their time and energy. How to make people notice the feelings of others at the moment and connect people around them is a new sense we want to provide to humans in the new era.
Application of Hanger Reflex to wrist and waist (Takuto et al., 2014)
Hanger reflecx
Hanger reflex is a very interesting phenomenon. When you put the hanger on your head at a certain angle, your head will have the illusion of wanting to turn your head due to the fixed pressure. This subtle sense is not compulsive, but a spontaneous, slight sensation.
"Hanger reflex?":A Reflex Motion of a Head by Temporal Pressure for Wearable Interface (Rika et al., 2008)
This subtle feeling can guide people to turn to a certain place unconsciously, that is to say, we can use this feeling to change the focus of people's sight.
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Intervention
Onken
Onken is a modest simulation of the human sixth sense. It allows people to feel the underlying emotions of those around them. When you are working in a group, it can help you discover the emotions of your teammates in time. When they show neglected expressions, Onken will make you feel like you want to turn your head unconsciously, so as to pay attention to everyone who needs to be cared for.
Onken has two cameras on both sides of the head, which can have a 270* field of view. Onken is equipped with a machine learning program trained by Wekinator. When it recognizes the abnormal emotions (yawning, sadness, etc.) of people around it, it will transmit a signal to the Arduino to control the motor to drive the movement of the mechanical structure. Onken simulates the pressure of a clothes hanger against the head, creating a steering force for the user.
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Intension
Onken was designed to be large and exaggerated. The designer wants to use this slightly weird shape and interesting interaction to make people rethink the impact of the information age on human beings, and reflect on whether human emotions are diluted by electronic devices.
