Aura is a prototype background communication device that aims to create a sense of emotional presence between two people who are separated by space or time.

An augmented sleeping mask records sleeping rhythms and infers an emotional state of the wearer. This information is transmitted to a remote location and mapped to musical selections in a music box that represents the remote partner.

The sleeping mask contains an electro-oculargram that detects eye movements typical of REM sleep. Data from the mask is used to grossly estimate whether or not the wearer has had a good night’s sleep, which is in turn used to infer if he/she is in a good or bad mood the following day. This information is mapped to music compositions or selections that play inside the box. By opening it, the remote partner can listen to music that was composed from their loved one’s previous night of sleep.

Further information.
By Aoife Ní Mhóráin, Dipak Patel, Stefan Agamanolis, for the Human Connectedness Research Group, at Media Lab Europe (now closed but the group is seeking opportunities to continue their exploration.)