HAPTIC NAVIGATION EXPERIMENT
I was interested in experimenting with GPS, mapping and navigation, so came up with a fun project using those technologies in the context of a wearable haptic feedback device.
Before starting on this project I was considering pitching it as a potential consumer product. I asked an illustrator friend of mine to help me conceptualize some use cases. I did not create these illustrations, but art directed their creation.
Couple at an outdoor event together
They part ways to explore on their own.
The belt vibrates in the direction of her child, so she always knows how to find them.
Couple at an outdoor event together
BRACELET PROTOTYPE
My first prototype was in bracelet form. It had five vibration motors and in addition to the GPS unit also had an orientation sensor. Changing the bracelets orientation from horizontal to vertical would change the behavior of the vibration motors.
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The small number of vibration motors made this prototype difficult to determine the direction bearing with much accuracy. Also the wrist turned out to be a part of the body that is not terribly sensitive, so it was hard to feel the vibrations.
With fabric cover.
Showing components inside.
When vertical, vibrations pulse in the direction of the destination.
With fabric cover.
A belt of vibration motors installed into the waist support of a hiking backpack.
Additional solar charger for the navigation system.
A belt of vibration motors installed into the waist support of a hiking backpack.
BACKPACK PROTOTYPE
My second prototype was integrated into my hiking backpack as a belt sewn into the backpacks hip support. This version had 24 vibration motors for more precise direction feedback and a solar charger for longer battery life.
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The additional vibration motors made this prototype easier to feel the destination direction with more granularity. Having the motors situated around the waist made it easer to feel the vibration motors as well.
NAVIGATION APP
To be able to set a destination to navigate to, I built a very simple Android application that uses the Google Maps API. With it you can search for points of interest, specific locations or select addresses from your contacts list. Once a destination has been selected, its GPS coordinates are sent to the bracelet or belt to begin the vibration feedback.
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As you can see this was a pretty old version of Android, so the functionality was a bit limited.
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Showing current location, destination and distance.
Options for Choosing a destination. Search, Contacts, etc...
Selecting a destination from contacts.
Showing current location, destination and distance.
OUTCOME
I continue to tinker with this project from time to time, but have not pursued it seriously. I have future plans to make a new prototype that will be built into a t-shirt and use more modern mapping and navigation, such as turn by turn directions.