Speculative Sensory Interfaces: Opening a dialogue between differently-abled bodies through sensory interventions

This project will use speculative design methodologies to create wearable technologies (wearables mounted with sensors that can be worn), capable of sending, receiving, and sharing sensory information across differently-abled human bodies. As the participants with different body structures, mobility, and agility move in space wearing aforementioned wearable technologies, proprioceptive information (sense of balance and body gestures) from one participant’s body will be strategically mapped using machine learning algorithms to tactile senses (such as pressure on the skin through shape changing interfaces) – acting as a stimulus on another person’s body. Overall, the aim of this project is to question the normative perception of sensory-motor disability (often seen as a impairment in the body) through a confusing and playful bi-directional flow of sensory information across differently-challenged human bodies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher Salter

Student:

Partner:

Zurich University of Arts

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

New and Digital Media; Technology; Artificial Intelligence

University:

Concordia University

Program: