H2 Sensor
2010
Introduction
H2 sensor is a unique interpersonal contact/proximity sensor using electro-magnetic field. Just by carrying the tiny device, it detects human-to-human contact such as shake-hands, hug, high five, cheek kissing and contact in anywhere on the body. The device measures weak electro-magnetic field around the body and its changes.
Fig.1 H2 Sensor principle
There have been many types of contact switch and tactile sensors. All of them, including mechanical switch, photo reflector
and pressure sensitive materials, require mounting the device on the contact surface. Therefore they shoul cover a full-body for whole-body contact detection. In contrast, proposed H2 sensor
detects human-to-human contacts/distance in anywhere on the body, and not influenced by a clothes, just by carrying the tiny device.
Application
Ether Synthesizer
The Ether Synthesizer converts physical distance between people to electric music. A pair of players can generate their own music by coordinated dance and physical interaction. It looks as if the players generated sound using “ether” around them. The device is light-weight and small, thus players can walk, run and dance freely with no stress.
Fig.2 System overview of the Ether Synthesizer
Fig.3 Demonstration in Laval Virtual 2011
Haptic Nature
This work illuminates dual nature of haptic interaction which arises on the boundary between self and others with the help of novel sensing technology. Visitors are told to feel their way in a dark room wearing a device. Two aspects of contacts with other people are emphasized in two different ways in the room. During the positive period, the pendants blink slowly and softly. When visitors touch each other, the lights of pendants get stronger, lighting up their faces. But the period doesn't last so long. During the negative period, the lights of pendants pulse nervously. If visitors touch each other, a roar echoes in the room with a sharp flash light.
Fig.4 Haptic Nature
Fig.5 Demonstration in Electrofringe 2010