Ambi
A tangible ambient display object for wellness and social connection
A tangible ambient display object for wellness and social connection
Our focus is on a domain that is centered on wellness and social connection as opposed to increasing productivity. This is a relevant and important topic, as the COVID pandemic has exacerbated our reliance on screen-based technology, reduced the boundaries between work and personal activities, and contributed to feelings of isolation due to the lack of interaction with others. Our design aims to restore these connections by relieving users from screen time and offering them new coping mechanisms.
Ambi is a portable orb-shaped object that users can hold and place within their homes. The object tracks the user’s pulse and emotional state through touch, and it enables a feedback loop between users by relaying a corresponding message based on that information to a partner object. The message takes the form of a color changing display, vibration pulse movement, and “breathing” ambient lighting, which impacts a user’s emotional state and atmospheric environment. Our device addresses the problem of decreased interaction and connection by simulating and sharing human-like tendencies like breathing, heartbeats, and hand-holding. These effects serve to promote relaxation and stress reduction for users. The physical design of our object includes a soft rubbery material that users can hold (similar to a stress ball) and exchange with other users.