Final project: Exercise With Attitude
It all started out with an accelerometer that I built a while ago. I wanted to do something with it. I thought of exercise. I thought of how people (myself included) are continuously looking for external things, such as Personal Trainers, classes, applications, and now robots, to motivate ourselves to move, since our modern society is designed to help us avoid physical activity. How far are we willing to go? Will current systems develop in a similar way?
So I thought, why not design a (sarcastic/critical) system that addresses this cultural aspect? A system that, unlike existing applications and robots (see image 1) has the ability be more like (sad) real life coaches - angry, moody, pushy, inpatient (see image 2). If that is what you want and need. Different levels of anger depending on how unmotivated you are at the moment.
Videos:
Autom: A Robotic Weight Loss Coach
Angry NFL coaches
So, basically, I propose:
- A smart and realistic (read: emotional, moody, etc.) exercise companion.
- Lets the user choose one of several stereotypical characters of different anger level: the disappointed coach, the angry black woman, the understanding teacher, the sadistic sergeant.
- Hopefully questions our relationship to moving/exercising, as well as stereotypes and controversial features of both real and machine-based coaching/characters.
The system will consist of:
- Accelerometer that can sense whether you are sitting, walking or running (hardware already done).
- Application that keeps track of how long and often you are active each day and gives you more or less angry/moody audio instructions based on your behavior (and other factors) and choice.
Resources:
- Python to write analysis program and coaching algorithm
- Speakers
- Subjects for user study
- Video camera for filming
Deliverables:
- Working prototype
- Video of ethnographic study