Expressive Wearable
August - September 2024
The Challenge: Engineer a wearable device with a single input/output to manifest a specific emotion.
The Insight: When embarrassed, humans instinctively want to disappear. I engineered a garment that automates this "flight" response to create a moment of safety.
The Concept: Focusing on the psychology of embarrassment, I designed a hoodie that physically responds to the wearer's urge to hide. The system is activated by a pressure sensor in the sleeve, mimicking a natural "self-soothing" arm squeeze, which triggers a motor to gently pull the hood over the face.
The Solution:
A conceptual hoodie that physically manifests the urge to hide.
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The Trigger: A pressure sensor in the sleeve detects a "self-soothing" squeeze (a common anxious fidget).
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The Action: A motorized pulley system gently draws the hood over the wearer's face.
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The Reset: A double-tap opens the hood, signaling the user is ready to re-engage.
Key Takeaway: This project demonstrated how low-fidelity mechanical systems can support complex emotional needs translating the abstract psychology of withdrawal into a tangible, protective action.
