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Ontario College of Art and Design student, Hilary Hayes, has recently shared with me one of her latest wearable technology projects. The Breathe Project is a beautiful scarf that reacts to your breath. As you exhale, LEDs integrated into the scarf begin to glow in sequence. Built using a Lilypad Arduino, temperature sensor, conductive thread, bright white LEDs, purple wool yarn, here's how she describes it: "The Breathe Project is focused on creating awareness of our own breath and the breath of others as a way of reminding and being reminded of the delicacy and life force of each other and of ourselves."
I love how the interaction is subtle yet helps facilitate a new form of expression and helps keep us connected to one of the most fundamental and centering experiences: our breathing patterns.
View the Breathe Project and more of Hilary Hayes work on her portfolio site. Images from the Breathe Project.