Chime
An ambient communication device fostering non-digital intimacy across physical distance.
The Problem
People separated by distance struggle to find meaningful ways to remain connected. Digital communication like texting has become a high-volume, low-intimacy chore. The goal of this project was to promote togetherness while reducing screen time, answering the question: How can we create a poetic, non-digital way to say "I'm thinking of you"?
14M+
People in the US in long-distance relationships
50%
Of grandparents live 200+ miles from a grandchild
87
Texts sent & received per day by the average user
The Solution
Chime is an ambient communication network consisting of a plush sensor object and a remote physical windchime. When a user hugs the plush avocado in one location, it triggers a gentle windchime to ring in their loved one's space.
I chose windchimes because they symbolize health, positive energy, and mindfulness. Placing them inside the home introduces a whimsical element of nature to an indoor space.
Engineering the Prototype
The system relies on an Arduino microcontroller and a motor driver to interpret sensor data and actuate physical movement.
- The Hardware: Two magnets create an oppositional force. An electromagnet is attached to a custom wooden base, and a standard magnet is attached to the windchime striker.
- The Software: By calibrating the motor driver, the electromagnet's pulse is scaled to the user's touch. A soft touch on the sensor yields a gentle chime; a strong hug creates faster, stronger movement.
- The Sensor: Conductive fabric was sewn directly into an avocado plushy using conductive thread, effectively turning a stuffed animal into an IoT trigger.
Challenges & Takeaways
As my first foray into microcontrollers, breadboards, and hardware engineering, Chime presented massive learning opportunities. Power management was a significant hurdle—I discovered the conductive fabric required a direct ground connection, forcing a pivot from my initial battery-powered design.
Balancing code with physical fabrication (woodworking, sewing, and circuit building) reinforced the absolute necessity of early prototyping, rapid iteration, and the invaluable resource of the open-source maker community.
