Jimena Vergara Sanz - MID Final Project
vibsens translates sound into vibratory patterns, enabling a real-time perception of environmental sound through tactile feedback.
College of Design 路 NCSU Spring 2015
Design Process FALL
Explore 路 Synthesize
Plan 路 Scope 路 Define
SPRING
Concept Generation Prototyping
Evaluation
Communication Universal Methods of Design Martin & Hanington
Persons who are Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Any disability 37.6 m
Hearing disability 10.5 m
American population 310 m
U.S. Census Bureau, 2012
Hearing disability prevalence rate
8.9
2.1 0.5
0.6
0.6 U.S. Census Bureau, 2012
Physical Loss types Congenital
Gradual / Noise induced
Other senses
Familiar sounds & loss levels Frequency in cycles per second (HZ) 125 0
250
500
1000
2000
4000
8000 Normal
10
Hearing Level in Decibels (dB)
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Mild Moderate Moderate Severe Severe
Profound
Social
“I am proud to be Deaf”
Deaf Culture Deaf
d, D
deaf
Hearing Culture
Social
Deaf Culture Deaf
d, D “I have a medical condition, I am hard of hearing”
deaf
Hearing Culture
Social
Deaf Culture Deaf “I once heard, now I am Deaf”
d, D
deaf
Hearing Culture
Social
The Invisible Condition · Exclusion · Communication issues · Frustration · Social isolation · Segregation
Common needs
“An individual’s commitment to leisure lies in the opportunity to express and affirm the self identity. (...) Is a primary motivator of behavior” (Stets & Burke 2003)
Personas
Deaf-blind
Attributes Constant use of technology Academic/ professional success Sociable
(outside Deaf community)
Isolated leisure preference
Sound/music enjoyment
Deaf
Hard of Hearing
Hearing
Only for D & HH
O
pp
or
tu
ni
ty
For all
Market review, products for D and HH
Basic assistive needs
Leisure
Leisure activities analysis (Target audience) Literature review synthesis
Never Frequently
Research question
How can body senses enhance leisure experiences for hearing and non-hearing populations?
Plan · Scope · Define Design methods ·
Human-centered
·
Inclusive
We perceive in different ways
· User-sensitive · Empathic · Universal
Something in common: Brain & Senses
Function + Pleasure + Dignity + Esteem + Aesthetics
Primary Research (User inquiry)
User Journals Mother
deaf
Daughter
Hearing
Inclusion needs in family time movies and music related
1st. Survey
Leisure for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ONLINE. 23 participants 13 males, 10 females 6 USA, 17 Colombia 14 Hearing impaired, 9 Deaf
Reasons for not participating in other activities
33% 40%
7% 20%
Community relationships & training Raleigh Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHHD) Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
12 Interviews, 1 hour per person (average) IN-PERSON 4 males, 8 females
Deaf blind
Deaf Cochlear implant: 4 users Bilateral Aids: 3 users
Hard of Hearing
Advocates
Interview findings
Difficulties mentioned in leisure activities 128 comments in 12 interviews
Communication 11%
Cinema 36%
Concerts, life shows 6% Restaurants 2% Music 34%
Group fitness 11%
Empathetic research +25 participants, cinema evaluation
ONLINE 10 males, 15 females. 10 Hard of hearing, 8 Deaf, 3 Deaf-blind, 4 ESL
Foam ear plugs + Ear protection
Market review
(Music multi-sensory experience)
“I grew up in an environment of hearing people who had a relationship with sound and emotions that I never fully understand because I could not experience it first-hand,”with the emotichair it was like “feeling the emotions (of the music) dance across my skin” Ellen Hibbard, deaf from birth
Ideation Initial concept generation
Concept evaluation
2015 NC Conference for the Deaf and blind
3rd. Survey
IN-PERSON. 16 participants. 7 males, 9 females. 10 Deaf, 6 Hard of Hearing, 3 Deaf-blind, 5 Deaf-visually impaired
Design research revelation
Empathy happened when I volunteered and served this community without having only research facts in my mind. Design for ability
Immerse technology that expands the sound perception through tactile feedback. Applicable to both, leisure and daily activities
Vibrates with sound Easy to use Easy to clean Waterproof Accessible Portable Fast setting up Adjustable Cost effective
Inspiration
Our brain gives meaning to all inputs
expanding the perception of sound
Modes
Door Bell sensor
Kitchen sensor
Home - Office fice
Garden sensor
Phone sensor
Stage / Sound output
Music
Movie
Function
3 motors vibrate against the skin according to app input. Motors reach two different dermatomes regions (C7 and C9) Over-molded rubber protects skin allowing smooth pressure
Function Test
Vibratory mapping testing
Arduino coding: bass, melody and pitch perception
Test 1
22 mm. (0.8”)
Test 2
50 mm. (1.9”)
Test 3
8 mm. (3.14”)
3 motors on a 20 mm width bracelet allow a cleaner pattern recognition
Increased immersion
through multiple added locations
Form - size Sizes: S, M and L Necessary to ensure correct positioning of the motors 2 cm width, 1.4 cm height Size S: 20 cm length Size M: 23 cm length Size L: 26 cm length
Styles
Ideation process Vibsens generates vibratorial mapping, the brain receives this patterns through dermatones on the skin and ads meaning
How to reach a larger surface?
Final shape
Use Textured buttons, tactile recognition of functions Vibration intensity
Easy to use slap bracelet Allow a fast and Universal closure
On / Off / Mode Textured rubber allows skin grip
Charging Port
Screen layout
Home / Office
Car
Music
Movie
Barking dog
Car horn
Testing shape, buttons and closure
expanding the perception of sound
Technical
Motors
Flexible stainless steel bistable spring sheet (perforated in the center) Box for blue-tooth module, LCD Screen, Battery, boot loader and buttons Flexible circuit
Over-molded rubber
Calling you
Movie
Oven
“I would plug this to my Ipod and play all the songs I heard before!” Erin Bradford, Deaf-Blind, NC. 2015
Barking dog
Music
Thank You...
expanding the perception of sound