Experience SpiderSense at the Wired to Wear exhibit
June 14, 2019
In late 2017 I was approached by Kathleen McCarthy, director of collections and head curator at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, for an exciting and ambitious project: the first-ever exhibit dedicated to wearable technology. Kathleen’s vision was to give to the public a sneak peek of the future of wearable technologies. From smart clothing, to devices designed to extend the human body’s capabilities, to wearables that make us healthier, stronger and safer.
During our initial meeting we discussed showcasing the various SpiderSense prototypes as well as an interactive piece, where users will be allowed—for the first time—to experience SpiderSense and navigate using only their skin! The ideas of having an interactive piece at the museum was very exhilerating to me because, as a researcher, oftentimes our inventions do not break out of the professional and academic circles. This was a great opportunity to showcase my work—in one of the largest science museums in the world— and allow (hopefully) millions of people to interact with it.
We partnered up with Quantum XPR, a company that has expertize in building interactive museum pieces that can withstand the “abuse” of time and millions of people, and designed a new vest that can be quickly worn/taken off and ideal for a museum environment.
You can experience SpiderSense at the Wired to Wear exhibit, at the Museum of Science and Industry. If you go, please share with me your experience through your favorite social network. Would be thrilled to chat with you and answer any questions!
Image credits: JB Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago.