Visualising Physiological DataQuantified Self Europe 2013

Rain Ashford - http://rainycatz.wordpress.com

Hello!Image: Rain Ashford

The convergence and miniturisation of computing and communications tech means we’ll all be wearing our phones soon!

Image: Pinterest

Possibly a little more discreetly!

The miniaturisation of technology has changed how people build & use wearable tech & electronics; they’re no longer comprised of cold, bulky sharp, boxy or ugly components that you might prefer to remain hidden

Image: Steve Mann

..but until fairly recently wearable technology was heavy, angular, clunky or other wordly!

Wearable Wireless Webcam, Steve Man, 1994

Person with a head-mounted display (HMD), wired glove and joystick. Image: NASA

MannGlass Welding HelmetPhillips SKIN ‘Bubble’ dress

Beam me up Scotty…..Sci-Fi has a lot to answer for!

Images: Jean-Luc Picard as Borg Locutus by El Carlos / TriViso HMD 2012 image by Rain Ashford

Images: Star Trek Tricorder & Peter Jansen’s Tricorder Project Mk2, Lt Uhura Paramount Pictures, Jawbone headset uncredited image

But there’s no escaping that wearable tech was influenced by cyborgs & their friends!

Images: Robocop DVD cover, pic by Plamdi, BSG motivational poster by thegreatgeekmanualRobotWearableCop Venn diagram, derivitive repurposed by Rain Ashford, original by GraphJam, Robocop Minis pic by infelix

There is also a fear of technology, machines, cyborgs, robots, etc.

“Let’s just hope that they all don’t show up at once.“ Anon

Image: unknown author / popular culture

I’m an avid self-tracker and fan of sensors!

Images: Rain Ashford

I use all sorts of sensors…EEG (Electroencephalography), GSR (Galvanic Skin Response), magnometer, temperature, proximity, light, movement, barometric (temp, altitude, pressure)

Images: Sensors: Seeed Studio & Sparkfun, MindWave Mobile, Rain Ashford

I use sensors and other electronics to create interactive wearables and art

Images: Rain Ashford

Soldering whilst wearing Necomimi brainwave cat ears

I’m interested in…

Social interaction – formal and informal events where one is put on the spot/ excruciating circumstances: networking, bars, clubs, meet ups, introductions, conferences, etc.

Building multi-sensor wearables which output data on the wearer’s physiological signs comprised of various components such as: a logging device sensors – tracking physiological signs:

EEG, GSR, heart rate, accelerometer, temperature, etc.

Actuators C code / algorithmsTo be… Visually reactive Sonically reactive Might record sound / display feedback

from user camera

Images: Rain Ashford

For me, the availability of sewable electronic & e-textiles has revolutionised the way I and many artists & designers work…

Images: LilyPad Arduino + accessories, Adafruit Flora pics by Rain Ashford, LilyPad Dev kit by Protosnap, Sensors: Seeed Studio & Sparkfun

…I enjoy incorporating the technology into the design

Images: Rain Ashford

Hacking existing tech, such as Eric Boyd’s Heart Spark & combining with my own ideas and components has allowed me to make pieces such as ‘You Make My <3 Flutter’: a proximity detecting, heart rate sensing ‘techlace’

Images: Rain Ashford

Images: Rain Ashford

I’ve hacked the Heart Spark and added another heart shaped pendant that I’ve made which Includes a proximity detector to switch on the pulsing LEDs from my heart rate

Images: Rain Ashford

I have plans for to expand this piece into a speed dating device to collect and combine quantitative data via temperature and posture to record and show how people’s physiologicalreactions differ from qualitative responses

Yr In Mah Face’ is temperature /mood sensing t-shirt - uses Celsius temperature data from a sensor, averages it, then visualises the results via LEDs.

Images: Rain Ashford

‘Yr In Mah Face’: uses an algorithm to decide and display the wearers temperature – cool calm and collected or hot and bothered!

Images: Rain Ashford

Baroesque Barometric Skirt

Images: Rain Ashford

Baroesque Barometric Skirt

Sensors:

Images: Rain Ashford

Pressure Altitude Environment temp My temp

°C (Celcius), Pa (Pascal) and m (meter)

Images: Rain Ashford

Displays environmental & physiological data °C (Celcius), Pa (Pascal) and m (meter) Baroesque Barometric Skirt

Necomimi brainwave cat ears

..practicing manipulating concentration / meditationImages: Rain Ashford

NeuroSky Mindwave Mobile headset

Images: Rain Ashford

EEG bar-graph prototyping

Images: Rain Ashford

EEG LED matrix prototyping

Images: Rain Ashford

EEG LED matrix prototyping

Images: Rain Ashford

Future uses for visualising data on the body

Subtle notifications Not so subtle notifications!

Including: Light, Visuals, Sound, Movement

For: Medical Communications Industrial Art Fashion Performance Sport Military Lifestyle

Image: Rain Ashford

Challenges

Standards & classifications Interoperability Sustainability Security of data Battery / power Washability Marketing focus User Experience

Image: Rain Ashford

Thank you for your attention!

@Rainycat http://rainycatz.wordpress.com

Rain Ashford 2013