HEART THROBBER

Wearables

RESEARCH

Imogen Heap MiMU Gloves. Software gloves for creating mapping between your movements and sound.

Artificial Intelligence and its False Lies by Mika Satomi

Anna Cain mood ring

Hug shirt by cutecircuit

Yoga pants by Wearable X

Others

• social body lab at ocad u
• Gerard Visuals
• Sound & Electromagnetic
• Cameron Hughes
  

The Knitted Radio

Yoel Fink

MiMU

References & Inspiration

• Thermal Coffee Coasters & Ceramic/Clay Coasters

To have a fully conceptualized idea I was thinking of *skip to the beat of my heart* or *heart throbber* other classic quips which were easy eough to actually create a full concept and device around. I wanted to have a skipping rope and buzz when it hit the floor or a sensor area on the body, I thought about making a beat box on the shirt, singing fake nails that would play when you touch, Thermochromic Ink candle holders, heat up coffee coaster, or Thermochromic Ink nails that would change colour when you set them on fire, or connecting another aspect that would sing or buzz when your heart rate got too high/fast. Too complicated. full circle back to velostat stepper, so we beep while we walk while our heart blinks, I'm hoping maybe if you go long enough, there will be some type of pattern we'll see.

HEART THROBBER

PROCESS & WORKFLOW

Tools

- Arduino IDE
- AD8232 Heart Monitor 
- ECG Pads
- Neopixel Strip of 18 leds
- Wires 
- Breadboard 
- Wire Covers & Heat Gun
- Wire Clamps 
- Felt & Other Fabrics 
- Solder Station 
- Scissors 
- Wire Cutters 
- Tape
- Copper Wire

SKETCHES

STEP BY STEP PROCESS

1. Connect AD8232 Heart Sensor to Arduino pins according to the diagram.

1. Breadboard the circuit including power, ground, signal, and LO+/- detection

1. Test raw values using Serial Monitor to ensure heartbeat signal is detected

1. Attach Neopixels to Pin D9, test strip with basic blink sketch

1. Solder headers and finalize components for wearable mounting

1. Upload final code, verify signal triggers both light and sound

1. Encase circuit in textile housing, create soft wearable pocket for board

1. Decorate with felt layers and embroidery to make it wearable + visually soft

SET UP & CIRCUIT

Component	Arduino Pin	Function
Neopixel	D9	LED signal
Buzzer	D8	Audio Feedback
AD8232 Output	A10	Analog heart signal
AD8232 Leads Off+	D12	Pad detection
AD8232 Leads Off-	D6	Pad detection

Code

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define PIN 9
#define NUMPIXELS 18
#define BUZZER_PIN 3
Adafruit_NeoPixel pixel(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
int reading;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(12, INPUT);  // Setup for leads off detection LO +
  pinMode(6, INPUT);   // Setup for leads off detection LO -
  pinMode(18, INPUT);
  pixel.begin();
  pixel.setBrightness(50);
  pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  if ((digitalRead(6) == 1) || (digitalRead(12) == 1)) {
    Serial.println('!');
  } else {
    // send the value of analog input 0:
    reading = analogRead(10);
    Serial.println(reading);
  tone(BUZZER_PIN, reading);
  }
  for (int i = 0; i < NUMPIXELS; i++) {
    pixel.setPixelColor(i, pixel.Color(reading / 4, 0, 0));
  }
 {
}
  pixel.show();
  delay(20);
}

Code

RESULTS

RESTING HEARTRATE

VS.

FREQUENCY REGULATED HEARTRATE

• LEDs pulse in sync with heartbeat
• Buzzer emits tone with pulse strength
• Output varies when nervous system is activated (Dolphin device)

@bishgosh bad girls make good boys hearts beat fast !! #wearables #ecg #robotics #womeninstem #light ♬ original sound - Popculture

Final Thoughts

This was my first time translating a biosignal to both visual and auditory output in a wearable form. It made me reflect on emotional expression through tech, and how we might use clothing not just to cover our bodies, but to mirror and regulate what’s inside.

HOT TIPS

CONCEPT

This wearable experiment uses copper wire and thermochromic paint to create a playful, reactive nail that changes color through heat generated by the Adafruit Flora. Instead of pressure sensors or lights, this circuit stimulates a thermal response directly through the nail surface, offering a subtle, expressive interface between body and tech.

PROCESS & WORKFLOW

SENSOR 2: DIGITAL TILT/SOFT SWITCH

TYPE Digital Sensor (ON/OFF values) FUNCTION A tilt ball switch closes the circuit when moved.

STEP BY STEP

1. Paint your fake nail with thermochromic pigment or polish and allow to fully dry.

1. Shape a small coil or loop of copper wire and tape or glue it to the underside of the nail (not touching skin).

1. Use alligator clips:
2. One end of copper wire → Flora D9
3. Other end of copper wire → Flora GND

1. Plug Flora into your computer via USB for power.

1. Upload the code below using the Arduino IDE.
   

CIRCUIT

Flora Pin	Connection
9	Copper Wire +
GND	Copper Wire -

• The copper wire acts as a resistive heater.

• Once current flows, the wire heats up, and the thermochromic nail shifts color.

• Run off USB for power — no battery needed.

CODE

void setup() {
  pinMode(9, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(9, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

SAFETY NOTES

• Test heat output carefully — keep heating cycles short.
• Do not use directly on skin for long periods.
• Use a thin resistor wire or coil the copper to increase heat without requiring high current.

Final Thoughts

This was a minimal yet powerful exploration of body interface design and temperature-responsive materials. Rather than measuring data, this wearable performs a transformation — a poetic tech gesture. It invites further exploration into fashion, feedback, and feeling.

Video

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