Healing Through Dancing

Healing Through Dancing

Overview

Overview

This project explores emotional healing through movement using a wearable device that delivers vibrotactile feedback. Inspired by somatic psychology and dance therapy, it offers a playful, screen-free way to help users express and regulate emotions through guided, embodied interaction.

This project explores emotional healing through movement using a wearable device that delivers vibrotactile feedback. Inspired by somatic psychology and dance therapy, it offers a playful, screen-free way to help users express and regulate emotions through guided, embodied interaction.

Why This Topic?

Why This Topic?

  1. Mental health is a growing concern among young adults.
    - They often feel stuck or overwhelmed but don’t know how to
     release those feelings.


  2. Movement is proven to help emotional release.
    - Physical activity especially dance supports mood regulation
    and embodied emotional expression.


  3. Most self-regulation tools are screen-based, not body-based.
    - Wearables offer a more direct way to feel and respond
    without relying on screens.

  1. Mental health is a growing concern among young adults.
    - They often feel stuck or overwhelmed but don’t know how to
     release those feelings.


  2. Movement is proven to help emotional release.
    - Physical activity especially dance supports mood regulation
    and embodied emotional expression.


  3. Most self-regulation tools are screen-based, not body-based.
    - Wearables offer a more direct way to feel and respond
    without relying on screens.

Key Features

Key Features

  • Adaptive Vibration and Music:
    - Adjusts to users movements for an immersive experience


  • Emotion Centered Design:
    - Users have the options to adjust playlists according to mood


  • Solo or Group Mode:
    - The ability to dance alone or invite friends for a Group Session

  • Adaptive Vibration and Music:
    - Adjusts to users movements for an immersive experience


  • Emotion Centered Design:
    - Users have the options to adjust playlists according to mood


  • Solo or Group Mode:
    - The ability to dance alone or invite friends for a Group Session

Strategy

Strategy

Device Structure

Device Structure

Device Structure

FRONT

FRONT

FRONT

BACK

BACK

BACK

Device

Device

Device

Body

Movements

Body

Movements

Body

Movements

Body

Movements

Body

Movements

Body

Movements

Input

Input

Input

Music

Changes

Music

Changes

Music

Changes

Haptic

Feedback

Haptic

Feedback

Haptic

Feedback

Output

Output

Output

1 IMU

4 Vibration Motors

1 IMU

4 Vibration Motors

1 IMU

4 Vibration Motors

Headphones/speakers

Headphones/speakers

Headphones/speakers

Arduino Nano with IMU sensor

Arduino Nano with IMU sensor

Arduino Nano with IMU sensor

Battery

Battery

Battery

Bread board

Bread board

Bread board

Vibration Motor 3

Vibration Motor 3

Vibration Motor 3

Vibration Motor 1

Vibration Motor 1

Vibration Motor 1

Vibration Motor 4

Vibration Motor 4

Vibration Motor 4

Vibration Motor 2

Vibration Motor 2

Vibration Motor 2

APP

APP

APP

Wearable Device

Wearable Device

Wearable Device

Usage Storyboard

Usage Storyboard

Starting the Session

Starting the Session

Starting the Session

Puts on the wearable. Message displayed on the smartphone: "Hi! Ready to move?"

Puts on the wearable. Message displayed on the smartphone: "Hi! Ready to move?"

Puts on the wearable. Message displayed on the smartphone: "Hi! Ready to move?"

Choose Group Mode

Choose Group Mode

Choose Group Mode

User selects “Dance with Group” from the main screen.

Chooses “Join a group”. Enters code.

App confirms.

User selects “Dance with Group” from the main screen.

Chooses “Join a group”. Enters code.

App confirms.

User selects “Dance with Group” from the main screen.

Chooses “Join a group”. Enters code.

App confirms.

Set Emotional State

Set Emotional State

Set Emotional State

User answers quick mood questions. System starts generating a shared playlist.

User answers quick mood questions. System starts generating a shared playlist.

User answers quick mood questions. System starts generating a shared playlist.

Group Readiness

Group Readiness

Group Readiness

Screen shows list of participants with "Ready" status:

Final screen says: “Group ready. Press Start to begin.”

Screen shows list of participants with "Ready" status:

Final screen says: “Group ready. Press Start to begin.”

Screen shows list of participants with "Ready" status:

Final screen says: “Group ready. Press Start to begin.”

Dance Session Begins

Dance Session Begins

Dance Session Begins

All devices sync to rhythm. Vibration and music change guide the movement.

All devices sync to rhythm. Vibration and music change guide the movement.

All devices sync to rhythm. Vibration and music change guide the movement.

Sync Moment

Sync Moment

Sync Moment

Vibration pattern adjusts. Users are feeling “more connected” and “in flow.”

Vibration pattern adjusts. Users are feeling “more connected” and “in flow.”

Vibration pattern adjusts. Users are feeling “more connected” and “in flow.”

End Session

End Session

End Session

Music fades out.

“Session complete. Wanna dance again?”

Options: Yes or No.

Group reflects on mood shifts and bonding.

Music fades out.

“Session complete. Wanna dance again?”

Options: Yes or No.

Group reflects on mood shifts and bonding.

Music fades out.

“Session complete. Wanna dance again?”

Options: Yes or No.

Group reflects on mood shifts and bonding.

Emotional Reflection

Emotional Reflection

Emotional Reflection

UI prompts: “How do you feel now?”

Feedback is shared via device.

UI prompts: “How do you feel now?”

Feedback is shared via device.

UI prompts: “How do you feel now?”

Feedback is shared via device.

Soltar App Ui

Soltar App Ui

Step 2. Set Emotional State

Step 2. Set Emotional State

Step 2. Set Emotional State

Step 4.  Ending & Reflection

Step 4.  Ending & Reflection

Step 4.  Ending & Reflection

Step 3. Generate dance playlist

Step 3. Generate dance playlist

Step 3. Generate dance playlist

Step 1. Entry & Setup

Step 1. Entry & Setup

Step 1. Entry & Setup

Technology (Arduino)

Technology (Arduino)

Wearable Gadget

Wearable Gadget

Arduino Nano

Arduino Nano

Arduino Nano

9V battery

9V battery

9V battery

Plastic

Plastic

Plastic

Fabric

Fabric

Fabric

Velcro

Velcro

Velcro

Velcro

Velcro

Velcro

Breadboard

Breadboard

Breadboard

Vibrator

Vibrator

Vibrator

Pipe

Pipe

Pipe

Translucent plastic

Translucent plastic

Translucent plastic

Wires and components

Wires and components

Wires and components

Outer side

Outer side

Outer side

Inner side

Inner side

Inner side

Exploded View Diagram

Exploded View Diagram

Exploded View Diagram

Final Rendering

Final Rendering

Final Rendering

Showcase Video

Showcase Video

Check Full project Presentation here (navigate by left clicking your mouse)

Check Full project Presentation here (navigate by left clicking your mouse)

Solta App Prototype here

Solta App Prototype here

Download the full Design Report, for more in-depth details about the whole process:

Download the full Design Report, for more in-depth details about the whole process:

Download Full Report