Picking up vibrations on the trees, shrubs and side-walk to pneumatically actuate a barrier in the middle of the road in high traffic times.

The barrier could also be for preventing accidents across roads for long distance driving. but maintaining clear wide roads when the barrier is not required.

By Kritika Dhanda

A table designed with responsive topography to enhance the dynamics of conversation. The project started with the idea of Improving Group Discussions with participation feedback.

Groups that received feedback about members’ participation balanced the group discussion, and came to the correct decision more often that groups that had no feedback.

The table can directionally sense sound and it changes inflation amount in response to each speaker’s input.Built with Inflatable air bags set in a recessed wooden table top covered with a flexible table top.The table works by taking sound recording from each user and amplifying the sound using processing. The amplified sound is then given to the Pneuduino.

An external air-pump is connected to three Pneuduino extension boards with five valves connected to each of the five air-bags. When a person who speaks for more than a certain threshold time interval, the system triggers the inflation causing the ball on the surface to move across away from the speaker.

Bean Bag

Hard Top Coffee Table with soft base

Coffee Table

Simple Stool

Store as a thin tall unit

Modular Furniture – Adaptable Bean Bag – with internal compartmentalisation to allow for shape change and create hard and soft surfaces using air flow for multi purpose uses

Skype – Subject 1

Skype – Subject 2

2nd person hugs the actualtion pillow

1st person receives hug

Hugging is scientifically known to help release the chemical Oxytocin, which makes people feel happier and alleviate stress.

Living alone far away from your family and friends, A remote hug is a nice way to wish somebody for their birthday, or offer some consolation to an upset family member.

The Pneumatically controlled Blanket Bean bag functions like a normal chair. But upon actuation from the other end (by hugging a similar pillow). The bean bag expands pneumatically to envelop and apply pressure around the back and chest of the user.

Hi, I’m an architect studying at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University. I’m the the Master in Design Studies research program – Art, Design and the Public Domain.

My research is focused on how you can use technology based interventions to enable people to communicate with others in different ways. I have been looking at how you can implement these technologies seamlessly into everyday life to change attitudes and behaviour. I have a lot of fabrication and model making experience. I also have some experience in C#, Processing and Arduino.

Feel free to send me an email at kdhanda@gsd.harvard.edu

Expertise:

★★★☆ Fabrication & Craft
★★★★ Design
★★☆☆ Electronics
★★☆☆ Programming
☆☆☆☆ Biology
☆☆☆☆ Chemistry