Motivations / Problems

Concept

Prototyping

This is a conceptual design, so we created a prototype of the hardware requirements and software UI, as well as a video showing the use case.

Sensors / Components

We installed accelerometer, gyroscope, and myoelectric sensor to sense many gestures. For the sensing accuracy of myoelectricity, we refer to the paper and conducted a feasibility study.

6 axis Accelerometer Sensor x1

To sense the swing and rotation of the hand, I placed a 6 axis acceleration sensor on the back of the hand.

Myoelectric Sensor

A square shaped pressure sensor is placed on the palm of the hand to verify if the expression increases with the strength of the hand grip.

Camera

To sense the swing and rotation of the hand, I placed a 6 axis acceleration sensor on the back of the hand.

Microphone

To sense the swing and rotation of the hand, I placed a 6 axis acceleration sensor on the back of the hand.

Software UI design

Iterations

We iterated several times based on the improvements we found from the initial version of the prototype.
Mainly, we strengthened the durability of circuit boards, improved the user experience by developing software, and increased the degree of freedom by making devices wireless.

Improving the circuit board

Due to the intense movement of the dance, the board was easily broken, so we changed the board to a flexible board and designed the circuit.

Exhibiting in SXSW 2017

In order to see the reaction of the dancers and the audience, we won the University of Tokyo's program to exhibit at SXSW, a well-known music, film, and interactive festival.

Performance / Evaluations

After SXSW, based on the feedback from the audience and dancers, we improved the circuit board, housing, and updated the software.
We have changed the flex circuit board to another plastic based company's one to make them more flex.

New flex circuitboard

New housing prototype

Performance for endurance testing and real audience response @ Mashup Award

Introduction video for new features