The Inside/Outside handbag is integrated with environmental sensors, and smart textiles and utilizes the DAWN wireless ad-hoc network, developed at the NTRG, Trinity College Dublin. Initial conceptual designs were based on informal surveys and workshops conducted with city dwellers and pedestrians from Dublin, Ireland and Los Angeles, California. The two cities were selected to maximize differences in lifestyle, culture, and urban behavior.
The Handbag
The Inside/Outside handbag uses an air quality sensor and audio microphone input connected to a microcontroller. As the user carries the bag through the city, changes in ambient air quality and noise levels cause conductive embroidery on the bag surface to heat and subsequently cool. [Fig.1 below] Thermo-chromic pigments mixed with acrylic paint applied onto a fabric substrate create a visible color change that is both controlled and programmable.
[Fig.1] Current Inside/Outside prototypes
Network Communication and System Design
Inside/Outside sits on top of the DAWN ad-hoc network. [Fig.2 below] Sensor data is sent through the communications stack and stored in a desktop application. The aggregate data provides a data diary of environmental exposure levels.
[Fig.2] System diagram
Inside/Outside Prototype 01
