Rock is the new swivel
#tangiblecomputing #guerillafreetime #hapticinterfaces
This remains one of the projects closest to my heart - done in a team of classmates for the Tangible Computing module - while studying interaction design at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (2008-2009)
Provocation: “guerilla free time”
Our world is obsessed with efficiency. Technology constantly pushes us to do more in less time, leaving little room for downtime. This brief for this project asked up to critically explore this accelerating trend, and imagine and prototype futures where it may be positively disrupted. We explored the theme of "Guerilla Free Time" – a critical and artistic concept that reclaims pockets of unstructured, unproductive moments in the midst of a hyper-scheduled, efficiency-driven culture. It challenges the relentless demand for productivity by creating playful, subversive interventions that carve out spontaneous opportunities for rest, reflection, or simple joy. By disrupting the flow of routine with unexpected pauses, "Guerilla Free Time" transforms mundane environments into spaces for creativity and mindfulness, urging a reconnection with the present moment and an appreciation for the unquantifiable value of leisure. Through its unpredictability, it fosters a sense of agency and spontaneity, making room for the human experience within even the most rigid structures.
The exhibit
We felt that few artifacts encapsulate the stress of contemporary life quite like the swivel chair. This inspired us to take a playful, guerrilla approach to reimagining it. We speculated on flipping the idea of the swivel chair by revisiting the charm of the good old rocking chair. The rocking chair became a delightful counterpoint—a technology designed to slow us down instead of speeding us up. It playfully encourages us to embrace moments of calm amidst the chaos of daily life.
The prototype rocking chair is a whimsical response to the swivel chair's ubiquity. It reintroduces "rocking," an almost forgotten interaction in modern seating, as a means to de-stress through the clever integration of networked technology. This rocking chair connects to a coffee machine placed beside it; as someone sits and rocks, the machine brews a fresh cup of coffee.
This transforms the mundane act of grabbing a coffee into a moment of relaxation—a forced "quiet time" that turns each coffee break into a mini-vacation. By slowing things down and adding an element of mindfulness, the rocking chair prototype demonstrates the potential for technology to carve out moments of relaxation and intentionality within our hectic schedules.
How it worked
Tech Stack: An Arduino microcontroller and an Xbee wireless communication device sit discreetly under the chair's seat. Additionally, a small MP3 player preloaded with calming music and a mobile phone speaker complete the setup.
Coffee Connection: The coffee machine connects through a hacked power box equipped with a second Xbee, enabling communication between the two devices.
Rock & Roll: An accelerometer detects rocking motion. When the chair rocks, the Arduino sends a signal via the Xbees to activate the coffee machine, initiating the brewing process. Simultaneously, the MP3 player springs to life, filling the air with calming tunes. The end result? A soothing rocking session accompanied by the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee.