Heartbeat device

Description: A stethoscope is modified so it detects the heartbeat, amplifies the analog signal through a microphone and transmits the sounds through bones transducers

Pros: The analog signal reproduces the sound of heartbeats, hence generates a better quality of experiment.

Cons: Lots of sound interferences which hinder sound precision (and eventually data precision) + movement interferences will hinder the biofeedback process since the participants are both senders and receivers of the biosignals.

Breathing device

Description: A wearable device with two accelerometers. One in the front of the chest and one in the back of the neck. The difference of the values between the two accelerometers allow us to gather data about the rhythm and the intensity of the breath. A system then is able to translate these data into motion of the vest.

Pros: An easy way to detect breath without having to measure air flows

Concern: What would be the best way to provide biofeedback ? We chose a system of two stripes attached to the front of the vest and to a servo motor localised at the back of the vest. According to the respiration rhythm, the servo motor will tighten and loosen the stripes, exerting pressure on the chest of the participant.

Overall concerns:

We need to think about a system that does not create confusion between senders’ and receivers’ biosignals, especially when there are group interactions