4 Weeks | 180 Hours | 2023
Skills | User Research, User Experience, Iteration, Prototyping
Software | Solidworks, Keyshot, Adobe Suite
How Can We Help Neurodivergent Children Manage their Emotions?
Emotions can overwhelm.
Neurodivergent children often face many obstacles that make learning emotional regulation challenging.
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See The Process
See The Process
WUF - AI Breathing Guide for Neurodivergent Children
WUF - AI Breathing Guide for Neurodivergent Children via Haptics and Visuals
Neuodivergency is a spectrum. WUF can learn its users' unique vocal and motor cues and guide them through mindful breathing exercises through intricate oscillating vibrations.
Neuodivergency is a spectrum. WUF can learn its user's unique vocal and motor cues and guide them through mindful breathing exercises by appealing to neurodivergent behavior.
Concave Surface Encourages Self-Soothing.
Concave Surface Encourages Self-Soothing.
Users instinctively rubbed their thumbs across the pebble form. WUF’s concave face accommodates and accentuates this subconscious action.
Users instinctively rubbed their thumbs across the pebble form. WUF’s concave face accommodates and accentuates this subconscious action.
Sharp ears contrast with the broader form language. Silicone construction and stippled textures provide varied tactile feedback.
Sharp ears contrast with the broader form language. Silicone construction and stippled textures provide varied tactile feedback.
Functional Prototyping to Validate Interaction Concept
Functional Prototyping to Validate Interaction Concept
Functional prototyping was utilized to validate the technical concept beyond surface aesthetics. Electrical engineering and coding were learned to develop functional tech demos using vibration motors and LCD screens to validate sensory interactions.
Functional prototyping was utilized to validate the technical concept beyond surface aesthetics. Electrical engineering and coding were learned to develop functional tech demos using vibration motors and LCD screens to validate sensory interactions.
Technical Architecture and Sensory Integration
Technical Architecture and Sensory Integration
MEMS microphones and motion sensors detect audio cues and movement patterns. An aluminum heat sink manages thermal output while establishing a premium weight and presence.
MEMS microphones and motion sensors detect audio cues and movement patterns. An aluminum heat sink manages thermal output while establishing a premium weight and presence.
Edge AI + Data Ethics
Edge AI + Data Ethics
Ethically sourced AI models detect dysregulation using audio and motion data. Lightweight AI architecture ensures entirely offline operation.
Check out the link below for an example of how audio and speech data sets can be utilized to understand emotion and psychology.
Speech Data - Hume AI | Hume AI
Ethically sourced AI models detect dysregulation using audio and motion data. Lightweight AI architecture ensures entirely offline operation.
Check out the link below for an example of how audio and speech data sets can be utilized to understand emotion and psychology.
Speech Data - Hume AI | Hume AI
How It Works
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1. Dysregulation
Emotional disregulation triggers crying, screaming, or heavy breathing. Neurodivergent users use motor stimming (repetitive physical movements) and vocal stimming (repetitive sounds or phrases) during these episodes.
Emotional disregulation triggers crying, screaming, or heavy breathing. Neurodivergent users use motor stimming (repetitive physical movements) and vocal stimming (repetitive sounds or phrases) during these episodes.
2. Activation
WUF detects disregulation through auditory and motion inputs, initiating automatic activation.
WUF detects disregulation through auditory and motion inputs, initiating automatic activation.
3. Distraction
Vibrations attract the child and guide them to the device. A barking animation on the face encourages interaction.
Vibrations attract the child and guide them to the device. A barking animation on the face encourages interaction.
4. Engagement
Physical contact or consistent pressure triggers therapeutic vibration patterns. The animated face cycles through breathing visuals to guide inhalation and exhalation.Combined haptic, visual, and tactile stimuli synchronize user breathing and redirect cognitive focus.
Physical contact or consistent pressure triggers therapeutic vibration patterns. The animated face cycles through breathing visuals to guide inhalation and exhalation.Combined haptic, visual, and tactile stimuli synchronize user breathing and redirect cognitive focus.
5. Regulation
Stability detection triggers automatic deactivation. The system enters standby, ready for the next activation.
Stability detection triggers automatic deactivation. The system enters standby, ready for the next activation.
6. Connection
Parents receive a notification of when their child has experienced disregulation. This prompts an open communication between child and caregiver.
Parents receive a notification of when their child has experienced disregulation. This prompts an open communication between child and caregiver.
Data Privacy + Customization through WUF App
Data Privacy + Customization through WUF App
The app centralizes data control. An automated calendar logs usage to track dysregulation events. Parents manage AI training data and privacy settings. The interface allows review of interaction logs and haptic customization.
The app centralizes data control. An automated calendar logs usage to track dysregulation events. Parents manage AI training data and privacy settings. The interface allows review of interaction logs and haptic customization.
Narrative Continuity in Peripherals
Narrative Continuity in Peripherals
A wireless charging base mimics a dog bed. The charging base maintains the smooth pebble form language. Fabric surrounds the silicone charging points to create a cozy, home-like feel.
A wireless charging base mimics a dog bed. The charging base maintains the smooth pebble form language. Fabric surrounds the silicone charging points to create a cozy, home-like feel.
Emotions can overwhelm.
Neurodivergent children often face many obstacles that make learning emotional regulation challenging.