Sensepack: An in-between wearable for body-backpack communication

Paul Biedermann, Jekaterina Aleksejeva, Jussi Mikkonen, Danielle Wilde

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    276 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Backpacks are often heavy and can be a significant cause of pain. To avoid pain, they must be worn in a certain way and readjusted when they move. Yet, recognising when to adjust a backpack is not self-evident. It is an evolving embodied process-a subtle, negotiation between body and pack. We present Sensepack, a wearable that sits in-between a backpacker's body and their pack. Sensepack supports novice backpackers to learn to recognise and sense backpack displacement. It monitors shifts in weight distribution, using four textile-sensors to determine imbalances and provides tactile, real-time feedback. We evaluated Sensepack through user testing-indoors on stairs, and in the field. Our preliminary findings suggest that Sensepack may be useful for learning to identify shifts in backpack weight that can cause long-term stress on the body.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationNordiCHI 2018 : Revisiting the Life Cycle - Proceedings of the 10th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction
    PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
    Publication date29. Sept 2018
    Pages922-927
    ISBN (Electronic)9781450364379
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 29. Sept 2018
    Event10th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, NordiCHI 2018 - Oslo, Norway
    Duration: 29. Sept 20183. Oct 2018

    Conference

    Conference10th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, NordiCHI 2018
    Country/TerritoryNorway
    CityOslo
    Period29/09/201803/10/2018
    SponsorNorwegian Semiconductors, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oxford University Press, The City of Oslo, Tobii pro, University of Oslo

    Keywords

    • Backpacking
    • Hiking
    • Human Garment Interaction
    • Soft sensors
    • Wearable Technologies

    Cite this