Calming Scarf
Objective:
To design a Human Augmentation prototype using Arduino powered interaction.
My Role:
Prototype
Duration:
3 Weeks
Team:
Solo Project
Project Advisor:
Jesus Garcia Galvez and Jorge Arango
NARRATIVE
When I am cold and nervous at the same time my heart rate goes up.
This human augmentation scarf warms my body while also detecting my increased heart rate. It then plays calming music to help me concentrate on my breathing to bring my heart rate down.
RESEARCH
According to the American College of Cardiology,
studies have found that not only can music reduce pain and anxiety, it may help lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Source
Music Boosts Heart Health by American College of Cardiology
According to the Harvard Heart Letter,
Music can also alter your brain chemistry and help heart rate and blood pressure levels to return to baseline more quickly after physical exertion
Source
Tuning in: How music may affect your heart by Harvard Heart Letter
Cold weather increases heart rate
By dressing appropriately in moisture-wicking layers with your head and hands covered, you will be able to last a lot longer out there in the cold, and your heart rate will be less variable.
Source
Cold Weather And Heart Rate: 6 Tips To Help Keep Your Heart Warm This Winter by Arianne Brown
CONCEPT DIAGRAM
INPUT:
very fast heart rate > 80 beats per min
PROCESSING:
calming music playing through headphones
OUTPUT:
deep breathes which causes the heart rate to slow down
COMPONENTS
PROTOTYPE V1
PROTOTYPE V2
After receiving feedback on version 1 of the prototype I decided to use something more practical to place the Arduino in.
I Used a scarf, cut it, made an opening to place the component inside.
FINAL DESIGN
Since only the person who has the headphones on can hear the song I attached it to a potable speaker to show how it will work.
NEXT STEPS
1. Arduino Uno is very large for a scarf. I want to use the Arduino mini to make the size much smaller to make it more comfortable to be worn.
2. Try a different format like a hat to hide all the components inside and have more impact.