[ By Steph in Conceptual & Futuristic & Technology. ]
Some might say that if you aren’t experiencing the atmosphere of a story while you’re reading, the author hasn’t done her job. But we’ve all read a book that we loved so much, we wished we could experience more of it, feel as if we were actually a part of the story as it was happening. That’s now possible with ‘Sensory Fiction,’ a digitally-augmented prototype book that comes with a sense-stimulating harness that’ll squeeze you or change your body temperature at the right moments.
Much like 4D films, which let you feel and smell the plot with moving seats and other sensory experiences, ‘Sensory Fiction’ makes the body a more active part of the process of taking in a story. Created by students at the MIT Media Lab for a class called ‘Science Fiction to Science Fabrication,’ the book and harness set aims to bring more excitement to the average written story.
It works through a combination of networked sensors and actuators. The book senses which page the reader is on to flash LED lights or play certain sounds that go along with that part of the plot. Meanwhile, the wearable component senses the reader’s heart rate and offers a gentle squeeze, vibration, changing temperatures and other forms of physical feedback.
The story selected for the prototype, ‘The Girl Who Was Plugged In’ by James Tiptree, was chosen because it showcases a wide range of emotions in a variety of environments, providing lots of opportunities for those sensory ‘extras.’ Can you imagine wearing one of these while reading a particularly scary horror story?
Want More? Click for Great Related Content on WebUrbanist:
Tactile Technology: 13 Off-Screen Touch Input Inventions
Touch input has already almost entirely eliminated the need for physical keyboards and mouses, but soon, it won’t even be confined to a screen. …
Click Here to Read More »»
Space-Age Home: 5 Futuristic Sensory Appliances
Futuristic home gadgets that scan your hand to make your ideal cup of coffee, iron clothes without heat while you’re wearing them and mix the perfect cocktail.
Click Here to Read More »»
Gripping Book Art: 31 Sculptures Worth Reading About
Society is in a digital age and paper books are being left behind. Artists are fighting the tide by bringing books into their own as gorgeous works of art.
Click Here to Read More »»
[ By Steph in Conceptual & Futuristic & Technology. ]
[ WebUrbanist | Archives | Galleries | Privacy | TOS ]
The clock has ticked over to 25 December here in Melbourne Australia and I wanted to take a moment on a day that means a lot to my family to wish you and yours a peaceful end to the year.
.gif)
