nertherlands-based designer daniel de bruin is driven by the desire to become part of the things he create, just like the neurotransmitter 3000. his latest installation a seven-meter high attraction on which he can freely swing around just like a rollercoaster thrill ride. but in this case, his personal biometrics have a big role to play. 

 

 

NEUROTRANSMITTER 3000 – a biometrically controlled thrill ride
video © DANIELDEBRUIN

 

 

de bruin has built the first phase of the machine as part of his graduate thesis from HKU university of the art utrecht in 2015. from then on, he has developed a plan to control the structure with biometric data that are obtained via sensors placed right on him. heart rate, body temperature, orientation/ gravity and muscle tension are measure and translated to variations in motion.

daniel de bruin's neurotransmitter 3000 is a biometrically controlled thrill ride
the designer testing out the neutrotransmitter 3000 

 

 

before the ride starts, the sensors need to be attached to the user’s body. heart rate is measured via an ear-clip and processed by software to get a clean data. muscle tension sensors are put on the left arm which measure in percentage how loose or firm the grip is. all the information is then slightly processed on the seat itself before being sent to a computer that controls the motor. ‘heart rate determines the speed of the large rotation and the muscle tension sensor can interfere with that speed by slowing it down. also, the rider is provided with a hand brake system on the right arm to stop the small rotation from spinning. this creates an active feedback’, states de bruin. 

daniel de bruin's neurotransmitter 3000 is a biometrically controlled thrill ride
three locking systems are used to ensure maximum safety

daniel de bruin's neurotransmitter 3000 is a biometrically controlled thrill ride
at full speed, one can spin up to one rotation every second 

daniel de bruin's neurotransmitter 3000 is a biometrically controlled thrill ride
when the machine senses that the heart rate is too high, it will slow down for safety

daniel de bruin's neurotransmitter 3000 is a biometrically controlled thrill ride
the control box where the sensors are plugged in

daniel de bruin's neurotransmitter 3000 is a biometrically controlled thrill ride
the muscle tension sensor placed on the arm

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom