Anders Mellbratt

Connected things Speculative design 2015

Nearness

People and connected objects can see where you are

With Arduino Electric Imp Particle iPhone app 3D printing

Nearness is a system for glanceable, slightly fuzzy information about people’s whereabouts. The giant ‘a’ shows if I’m on my way home. The 3D-printed mini-me lets my colleagues know if I’m in the office, watching over them, or not.

So far it’s small-scale and a bit obscure — something to scratch my own itch, really. An iPhone app reports your approximate location to the backend, which is polled by your physical avatars. The avatars then signal nearness or not, typically built with Arduino, Electric Imp, or Particle boards.

App and backend by Jonatan Lövgren, with help from others along the way.

A large illuminated lowercase letter 'a' sculpture sitting on a shelf in front of framed posters
A large illuminated lowercase letter 'a' sculpture sitting on a shelf in front of framed posters
Electronics breadboard prototype on a desk with wires, alligator clips, and a small circuit module
Electronics breadboard prototype on a desk with wires, alligator clips, and a small circuit module
Small white 3D-printed bust of a person with glowing red LED eyes
Small white 3D-printed bust of a person with glowing red LED eyes