Interactive Device Exploration - Heart Rate Sensor Light

For my Object to Object (Oto) project, I decided to explore the possibilities of interactive installations and try to create a light installation that displays heart rate signals through touch sensors. This installation was inspired by the idea of visualising human mood changes.

Production process
1. Software part:
(1) Arduino Library Download: I first downloaded the Arduino library, searched for and installed the code provided by pulse sensor.com, which is the key step to implement the heart rate monitoring.
(2) Getting Started: Followed the guide to start my project, this process helped me understand how to combine the software with the hardware to make the device work.

2.Hardware Section:
(1) Connecting the Hardware: I used Dupont cable to connect the sensor to the corresponding location on the Arduino UNO and connected the computer via USB to upload the code to the Arduino UNO.
(2) Testing and fixing: I tested the pulse sensor by placing it on my fingertip, and when the inbuilt LED (under pin13) blinks with the heartbeat, it means the test is successful. I then fixed the sensor using hot melt glue.

During the fabrication process, the Dupont wire connecting the light strip broke, an unexpected challenge. I took an emergency measure: I cut off the plastic casing of the wire and connected the exposed wire to the hole next to the GND, again securing it with hot melt glue. Fortunately, this temporary solution managed to get the lights on. This exploration provided technical support for my Oto project, and I began to think about how I could further improve the device to make it more stable and practical, and how I could apply this technology to a wider range of artistic endeavours.