Gaia circulatory system senses nature’s health
Pauwels Hedström introduces the GAIA communications system, a wearable A pair of gloves with a vest and sensors so users can sense the health of plants, insects, soil, air, and more. Unveiled as part of his design practice, the Swedish architect installs multiple haptic sensors around the vest and gloves, each tailored to natural objectThe spectral sensor detects early signs of plant stress. Bioacoustic sensors listen to communications between insects and animals. Water sensors measure the pH level and turbidity of any type of water.
Air sensors track carbon emissions as well as humidity and temperature levels in the air. Soil sensor monitors its moisture. These sensors around the GAIA Communication System vest and gloves detect and provide real-time data. They translate them into vibrations that users can feel on their chest, back, and sides of their body. At the center of the vest, lies a dynamic LED light. It plays colorful animations – green, orange and red – depending on what users feel, so they can also visually see the health of the ecosystem.
All images courtesy of Pauwels Hedstrom and injects
Solar-powered wearable vest and gloves with sensors
Sunlight powers up with vest and glove sensors. Pauwels Hedstrom adds four mini solar panels to the back of the vest, positioned in the form of an ‘X’. There are also five haptic motors around these panels. The Gaia communication system vest has LED light with animations on the front, water sensor below it and bioacoustic sensor next to it. The left glove has carbon emissions, Celsius and humidity sensors, as well as soil moisture and spectral ones.
Turbidity sensor and somatosensory system on the right glove of Gaia communication, which Pauwels Hedström tells DesignBoom ‘Just the human touch sense.’ In an email, he shares with us ‘The gloves are designed not to cover the user’s fingers, as our own sensory system is extremely complex and sensitive.’ swedish designer Originally the GAIA communication system was designed as a tool for architects conducting field research.
Pauwels Hedstrom introduces the Gaia communication system, a wearable vest and a pair of gloves with sensors
Suitable for urban planners, policy makers and individuals
Wearable vests and gloves with sensors have long-expanded applications, which are also suitable for urban planners, policy makers, and individuals. Powles Hedström draws inspiration for his concept from the ability of insects to respond to environmental changes.
He mentions ants as an example because they are able to detect carbon dioxide to locate food or manage their nest. Then, too, bees, as they are able to sense temperature and humidity to maintain hive conditions and support colony survival. With the GAIA communication system, the Swedish architect hopes that people can experience an expanded sensory system that allows them to understand and feel the current state of nature.
Using sensors, users sense the health of plants, insects, soil, air, and more
LED lights flash with colored animations – green, orange and red – depending on what users feel
Swedish architect installs multiple haptic sensors around vest and gloves
view of gloves with sensor