Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Emotional Connections During the Pandemic

Document Title

Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic

Document Information

• Subject Area: Human-Computer Interaction Design and Devices Supporting Social Interaction
• Keywords: Design research, self-build methods in design, peripheral and expressive communication, DIY, open source, IoT

Research Background and Issues

• Issues and Challenges:

  • Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to feelings of loneliness and mental health concerns.
  • Existing mainstream communication tools (e.g., video calls) typically require users' focused attention and lack technologies that support "peripheral" and "expressive" communication.
  • Historically developed external communication devices, despite their aesthetic design, lack sufficient data on their long-term use in real-world scenarios.
  • Commercial devices have limited accessibility, with only a small portion of people able to access such products.

• Research Significance:

  • Psychological issues stemming from social isolation are one of the core impacts of the pandemic, as important as medical and economic challenges.
  • Providing simple, widely accessible peripheral and expressive communication devices can enhance social connections and alleviate loneliness.

• Research Motivation and Related Work:

  • This project builds on over 30 years of cutting-edge research (e.g., CSCW "media space" design, non-verbal emotional communication devices).
  • By integrating the concepts of "peripheral awareness," "expressive communication," and "self-build methodology," the project aims to offer users low-barrier DIY communication devices.
  • The goal is to promote IoT research products non-commercially through DIY toolkits and online guides.

Solution

• Core Methods or Solutions:

  • Development of a series of devices, called "Yo–Yo Machines," designed to help users establish emotional connections with remote friends through simple signals (e.g., light, sound, and subtle motion).
  • Users can self-build these devices using online guides, which connect paired devices via the internet.
  • A dedicated website (yoyomachines.io) provides instructional resources aimed at attracting and supporting novice users in completing the assembly.

• Innovations:

  • Peripheral and Expressive Communication Devices: Devices are designed to transmit low-density yet emotionally rich signals, supporting long-term social interaction without requiring focused attention.
  • Self-Build Methodology: Emphasis on ease of use, openness, and low technical barriers in the dissemination of DIY devices.
  • Open Design and Personalization: Users can extend or personalize the provided devices in terms of form and functionality.

• Implementation Steps and Key Technologies:

  1. Device Infrastructure:
     • Use of ESP32 development boards, with built-in WiFi functionality as the core for network connectivity.
     • Development of a simple firmware installation tool written in Python to help users quickly load device programs.
     • Implementation of automated wireless network configuration, such as quick WiFi setup via a "temporary network" mechanism.
  2. Device Design:
     • Provision of four basic device models: Light Touch, Knock Knock, Speed Dial, and Flutter By, each with multiple variations.
     • Use of simple and low-cost hardware components, such as LEDs, micro motors, and passive infrared sensors.
  3. Building Online Resources:
     • Detailed visual tutorials for device assembly.
     • Design of user-friendly promotional strategies targeting general users.
  4. Network Communication:
     • Design and hosting of a lightweight central server to support near real-time short message transmission between devices.

Research Outcomes

• Specific Results:

  • Development and release of ten device variations, each featuring unique technical and interaction characteristics.
  • During the promotion phase, the website attracted over 5,000 visitors, with approximately 10% downloading and successfully building the devices.
  • Research findings indicate that these devices effectively supported emotional connections for some users during the pandemic. For instance, users reported daily use of Light Touch to exchange light signals with family members, feeling the presence of loved ones.

• Advantages Over Existing Solutions:

  • Significantly lower cost compared to industrial products (e.g., Good Night Lamp).
  • Low technical expertise requirements, strong openness, and allowance for user customization.
  • Optimization of perceptual experience and emotional support by leveraging historical communication device design heritage.

• Experiment and Evaluation Results:

  • Some users reported enhanced social presence through the devices, such as feeling the companionship of distant family members via Light Touch.
  • The ease of use of the self-build methodology was validated, with many users able to assemble functioning devices within hours.
  • Unexpected use cases emerged, such as using the devices for daily notifications within households.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  • Limitations:
    • Device experience relies on mutual participation; if one party stops using it, the experience may be disrupted.
    • User anonymity limits comprehensive data collection, with user behavior evaluation relying on small sample feedback.
    • Network connectivity and hardware failures are common factors causing interruptions in the experience.
  • Future Directions:
    • Innovating "sustained interaction" designs: creating device forms better suited for infrequent but occasional interactions.
    • Balancing public engagement with research data collection, exploring non-invasive methods for collecting anonymous user data.
    • Investigating the balance between universality and local adaptation needs in device dissemination.

Conclusion

The Yo–Yo Machines project demonstrates significant potential in the fields of peripheral and expressive communication devices and self-build methodologies. With its low cost, high interactivity, and flexible openness, it provides an important example for the dissemination of modern IoT devices and emotional support research. At the same time, it highlights key areas for future improvement in usability optimization and user research methods. These outcomes underscore the unique value of peripheral communication devices in enhancing social connections during the pandemic.