Noticing Grippy

Abstract

Daily stress is a problem that many people are suffering from. In previous research a prototype was developed to help users to identify their own stressful places and encourage them to conduct self-training exercises in those locations. This prototype is called ‘Grippy’. The goal of this project is to explore what qualities Grippy’s vibration signal should have, to appropriately warn the user of upcoming stress. Three knowledge gaps are identified. First, how the vibration strength of the signal influences the noticeability, audibility and disruption of the vibration signal. Second, what environmental factors influence the noticeability of wrist-mounted vibration signals. And third, how we could design respectful vibration signals that grab the users attention. Three experiments have been performed. Experiments one and two used 14 and 7 participants respectively to measure at which vibration strength Grippy’s vibration signals are noticeable to the user and bystanders respectively. With the insights from these two experiments, a new stress alert signal is proposed. This signal is tested in a third auto-introspective experiment. In this experiment we also explore ‘how Grippy fulfils the qualities of wearable partners in daily life’. The proposed stress alert signal is found to be discreet and respectful in most situations. These include social situations like presenting, listening and talking, but also shopping, walking, studying and playing piano. During cycling the proposed stress alert signal was not consistently noticeable. In addition, short disruptions in the environment such as arm movement and gusts of wind could temporarily distract from or mask the vibration signal. This report concludes that a continuous vibration signal at a fixed vibration strength is likely an appropriate way of alerting users in most situations, but that adaptation of the vibration strength to detect cycling like situations will be necessary.