Imagine any belt that lets you to feel your unborn child's movement in the womb.
Brief description
We introduce The Fetus Speaks, a multimodal system that allows fetuses to express themselves towards the outer world and especially create a stronger bond with their fathers, using mediation of haptic sensation and sonification of the fetal movements. Studies show that such prenatal relationships can have a positive impact on the well-being of virtually all the persons emotionally involved in the pregnancy.
Explorative Project
TopicMultimodal interfaces
Used MethodsBrainstorming, prototyping and focus groups
Technology usedArduino, Pure Data
TeamCharles Windlin, Andreas Rau, Jasper Heeffer, Wouter Nij Bijvank
My RoleSonification, Graphic Design, Video Editing
The hardware of the system comprises two belts: The sensory belt that senses the movements of the fetus in the mother’s womb and the stimulation belt that creates haptic sensations for the father accordingly. Additionally, the recorded movements are used to create a piece of generative music that can be heard by the public. With the proposed system, babies can be an active part of our society even before their birth.
The design process started with the aim of participating in the CHI Student Design Competition. Constraints for this competition seemed compatible with the course project’s requirements. In the end the group has participated with the competition and is awaiting results. Several brainstorming sessions were performed on the CHI project’s design brief and course options. These sessions lead to the decision on the user group and design direction. Secondary literature research and interviews with an doctoral obstetric professional and women who has carried a child lead us to the current design.
Final Presentation of the Concept
I was responsible for the entire sonification and its behaviour in pure data. I helped out in the movie shoot and I cut/animated the entire movie in. I contribute in some passages in the report, mainly related to the sonification. I helped out in building the belt as there was help needed although very little due to my limited skills in programming. I would consider myself the weakest link in this project group.