WLK* was a collective speculative design project regarding a future where power scarcity and health concerns such as obesity would be society-wide  issues of concern. As such, through the exploration of current innovations in piezoelectronics (electricity generating materials activated by the human body in motion and/or through pressure of footsteps for example) an intelligent wearable was designed which would move as much as the wearer did, encouraging more physical activity. Additionally, the power generated through this movement could, through epidermal circuitry, help charge mobile devices with a mere touch. The realm of speculative design is a wonderfully imaginative thing, offering great possibilities for the future, as we found out. 

 

Before arriving to our final wearable, we had explored other venues of piezoelectronic application, namely an Energy Path which future cities could implement to help generate power (encouraging walking in its residents and contribution to a greater good, along with tax incentives and the like). We also then pictured personal devices and/or wearables (bracelets, etc) activated and lit-up by walking which could add a beautiful aesthetic to a city and charge devices.  I feature these brainstorms here as well, as they were a large part of our process. 

 

My largest contribution in this case was the video montage and editing, as well as the storyboards.

 

Team members: Myself, A. Mantovani, L. Gateira, D. Horqque, P. Deschamps