Biohacking with Arduino

<p>Before you begin, please clear yourself a workspace, gather your Arduino Workbench (pictured below), and get your computer. A notebook and writing utensil are recommended, but not required.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/7vuen6agwn0ai1zlaword1mxj91z/20231129_143506.jpg"><img alt="" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/7vuen6agwn0ai1zlaword1mxj91z/20231129_143506.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 450px;" /></a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4EvNxWhskf8&amp;psig=AOvVaw3MZr6aw0TsYb610vN3-WjX&amp;ust=1701383902413000&amp;source=images&amp;cd=vfe&amp;opi=89978449&amp;ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCIi1vYuj6oIDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE"><img alt="Google Glass, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EvNxWhskf8, 2013" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/pzg5zvzgppebws03g9vbv4r92muq/Google+Glass.jpg" style="float: left; width: 300px; height: 169px; margin: 5px;" /></a>Biohacking </strong>involves using technology and data to enhance human health and well-being, and wearable tech plays a central role in this movement. These innovative devices, ranging from fitness trackers to smartwatches, offer the ability to monitor various aspects of our physiology in real-time (<a href="https://medium.com/@alexandragrosu03/biohacking-and-wearable-tech-tracking-health-and-wellness-c8d2e1734211#:~:text=Biohacking%20involves%20using%20technology%20and,our%20physiology%20in%20real%2Dtime.">Grosu, 2020</a>).&nbsp;Some biohackers&nbsp;seek to integrate technology with their bodies to optimize their existing human functions or senses. We will be doing this in the Biohacking project. We will take an input that humans cannot sense and create an output that you can sense. Essentially, you will be using technology to gain a &#39;sixth sense.&#39;</p>

<p>You are going to integrate this technology through a <strong>wearable</strong>. A&nbsp;wearable is a device that you wear (astounding!). But, rather than a fashionable new outfit, generally, and how we will discuss them in this project, wearables are wearable technology.&nbsp;Wearable technology is any kind of electronic device designed to be worn on the user&#39;s body.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In this Biohacking Project, you will:<img alt="Hunt, https://journal.getabstract.com/en/2021/03/04/biohacking-for-beginners/, 2023" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/oogy3yce6wz1uw7khlk06y8f8txu/Smartwatch.jpg" style="margin: 5px; float: right; width: 300px; height: 169px;" /></p>

<ol>
<li>learn about inputs and outputs as related to biohacking and biomimicry</li>
<li>practice using inputs and outputs with an Arduino microcontroller</li>
<li>integrate your inputs and outputs into a single device</li>
<li>test and assemble your wearable device</li>
<li>put your device to the test in a game</li>
<li>Discuss modifications and possibilities to your new biohacking skills</li>
</ol>

<p>Materials List</p>

<ol>
<li>Arduino Workbench</li>
<li>Computer with Arduino IDE or Arduino Cloud with Arduino Agent</li>
<li>HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor</li>
<li>9V harness to 5.5mm barrel plug connector</li>
</ol>

<h3>How do you sense the world?</h3>

<p>Humans have five senses; sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Senses are another way of saying your &quot;inputs.&quot; When you sense the world around you, you are getting input about what is going on. These inputs are pieces of information that your brain processes. Then, you can use your outputs (generally motor neurons) to react to the stimulus.</p>

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<h3>How other creatures sense the world</h3>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K-zrBaIt-38?si=mobeYS5CY3bgepcJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><img alt="Science Learning Hub, https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/4184-bat-echolocation, 2019" src="/api/storage/uploads/legacy-images/fwturzg8gjprt50lkpljg0ddg40a/Bat-v6.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 409px; float: right;" /></p>

<p>From the video, we see that bats, dolphins, and whales utilize ultrasonic sound waves to navigate and hunt in low-light conditions. How effective are you in a dark environment? Without seeing, hearing, smell, or taste, how quickly do you think you could find a friend in a large, pitch-black room?</p>

<p>Without your eyes and ears providing input, the world is a much different place. Could you develop a device that can mimic the biological capabilities of bats and dolphins to help you navigate your world in a different way?</p>

<p>Talk to your elbow partner about a different wearable. What would you design it to sense? What kind of person would this wearable be important to?</p>