Description

The Kickbee is a wearable device whose base is a stretchable spandex band. Piezo sensors are attached directly to the band, and transmit small but detectable voltages when triggered by movement underneath. An Arduino Mini microcontroller filters and analyzes the movement and transmits the signals to an accompanying Java application wirelessly via Bluetooth. (a SparkFun BlueSMIRF v2 module that communicates serially with a Macbook Pro.) The band and electronics are covered in a soft fleece cover for comfort. An updated version presented at the ITP Winter Show 2008 uses XBee radios for better stability and to prevent interference from the hundreds of bluetooth cell phones in the vicinity.