Biometric
Visceral
Interface
Data Visceralization, Visual-Haptic System, Social VR
Multi-sensory Experience | 03 2019
The concept of a Biometric Visceral Interface originates from a search for an alternative to the visual presentation of biometric data. Departing from the habit brought by the spectacular society of seeing and understanding, Biometric Visceral Interfaces challenge the common practices of communication-based upon visual memory and quantified abstraction of biological phenomena. The aim of such interfaces is to extend the human perception of body information beyond visual paradigm and semiotic objects. A set of biomorphic designs of soft robotic prosthetics is introduced here to define a new human-machine interface that allows the users to have affective interpersonal communication. We describe how a multi-sensory immersive system can reconstruct a user’s body schema in virtual space and visceralize biometric data into the user’s body as a new way to perceive the presence of others.
Specs
Biometric Perception Interface
VR system
Kinect camera
Conferences & Exhibitions
International Symposium on Electronic Art, 2019
MAT End of Year Show, 2019
System
In order to integrate the immersive visual experience to alter a user’s self-body awareness, we formulate a new system by taking the VR system as a critical factor in the design process.
Memorizer - Serves as the data computation center and control mechanism.
Choker - A wearable soft haptic actuator that is to be worn on a user’s neck
Antenna - A cable-like multi-section connecting agent that links the memorizer, the choker, the visualizer and the users.
Visualizer - Connected to the memorizer and placed on the user’s head, it serves as an entry point to immerse into the computer-mediated space. It renders and maps a virtual body onto the user to give her a perception of an alternative body presence. A visualizer supports the most recent VR technologies on the market such as HTC Vive and Oculus Rift that precise tracking is integrated to give the user a strong and responsive sense of immersion.
Collaborator
Mengyu Chen
Yin Yu
User Interactions
In local mode, a visualizer and two sets of chokers and antennae, are connected to a memorizer. The two users, being physically in the same space, can sense each other via soft robotic actuation on their necks.
In network mode, a single BVI system is used by each user and each device serves as a node in the network. A connected user can wear a BVI system and remotely sense another user’s biometric signal in real-time. The computer-mediated space, in other words, becomes a social VR space where interactions are happening over the network.
Biometric Visceral Interface - Installation Diagram
Biometric Visceral Interface - System Diagram
Biometric Visceral Interface - Choker Structure