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12. Skin Electronics

head_unstable_indication_lighting

I am also writing this week's my special work under my NDA folder due to confidential work for TOYOTA.

Learning outcomes

  • Research skills: the participant has acquired knowledge through references and concept development
  • Design skills: the participant learnt to program a microcontroller, design circuit and schematic
  • Fabrication skills: the participant is able of integrating inputs and outputs in a microcontroller project
  • Process skills: Anyone can go through the process, understand it and reproduce it
  • Final outcome: Is the assignment is assembled, functioning or tested
  • Originality: Has the design been thought through and elaborated?

Student checklist

  • Document the concept, sketches, references also to artistic and scientific publications
  • Design a “skin-circuit”, exploring the replication of the examples bwlow or:
    • the Skin masquerade party project
    • the Twinkle Nails project
    • interactive tattoo
    • explore how to create a new skin electronics accessory.
  • Document the project and included all source files and all materials used
  • Upload your design files and source code
  • Make a video with your skin electronic working
  • Make a short performance/concept of your project functioning (extra credit)

Research

motion_sickness_glasses

Effect of Passengers' Active Head Tilt and Opening/Closure of Eyes on Motion Sickness in Lateral Acceleration Environment of Cars

References & Inspiration

Various studies on carsickness have shown that passengers are more likely to experience motion sickness than drivers, as drivers can anticipate and prepare for turns, whereas passengers especially back seat passengers typically cannot.
Then, I considered about the possibility to share the driver's unconscious inward head tilt just before the cornering.
What about making "a head laterally tilting indication" that can be seen by the back seat passengers so that back seat person could anticipate before the cornering and ease his/her carsickness symptom?

Tools

I discussed with my instructor and got several ideas to realize above mentioned indicating system, and focused following system this time.

  • coil ring with a micro-controller (coil external diameter 75mm)
    coil coil_spec

  • Wireless LED (color green)
    LED LED_spec

  • half transparent board (thickness 0.8mm)

  • battery (AAA X 3 to 4)
  • kite string (thickness 1.0mm)
  • wire
  • tape

Circuit

Input: coil connected 5 Volt makes magnetic field power supply up to distance 80mm (from specification sheet) distance
Output: wireless LED lights on when there is enough magnetic field
LED-coil_circuit

Wireless_LED Transmitter (Coil and Timer)
Wireless_LED_Transmitter

There was no circuit diagram included with the coil, but referring to the information of Simple Wireless LED Circuit , this seems to be the typical method for supplying power wirelessly.
Wireless_LED_Transmitter_diagram
Wireless_LED_Receiver_diagram

Preparing a mobile battery for this circuit;
Since the LED Transmitter (coil and Timer) set is designed for 5V, got 4.55V by choosing the set of used batteries connecting in series.
battery_voltage

Input - Output sensitivity test

Coil-LED distance 0mm
distance_0mm

Coil-LED distance 10mm
distance_10mm

Coil-LED distance 20mm
distance_20mm

Coil-LED distance 25mm ---a little bit darker than 20mm
distance_25mm

Coil-LED distance 30mm ---darker than 25mm
distance_30mm

Coil-LED distance 35mm ---slightly lighting
distance_35mm

Design the system for my car seat by on-site fitting

On-site fitting the system
no-site fitting

Coil position and height setting close to eye level
position setting

Coil system assembly
system assembly

Battery settlement at back of head rest
fit on the head rest

Confirmation of LED lighting with the assembled system
LED lighting confirmation

Placing wireless LED on the cheekbone which is the wides part of face and close to eye
placing LED on cheekbone

I changed batteries for the testing so that it supplies 5V.
Battery voltage measurement before the test
battery voltage fot the test
Confirmed 5.18(V)

Results

The system could indicates the side that driver is aiming before actual cornering, and the light is visible from other passengers.
I am also curious that the reflecting light can also be seen from the driver, so that driver can notice when and how much motion is his/her head moving.
This could give new sensation for the driver him/herself as a new driving experience.

System working from front view
working front view

System working from front side view
working front side view

System working from side view
working side view

Video

Head tilting indication system