I've been floating the idea for friends and family...

Imagine the project that I'm going to be making this year, and tell me your thoughts on it.

It's a half joke, but wouldn't it be neat if you could do that? I imagine people with a big audience can do that, but there's a fine line between having no replies and having too many.

In the real world, I have to share some sketches, and get more specific when asking for feedback.

I have three concepts now.

Calm Timer

Plays a nice-sounding chime on the hour, or set intervals with a small screen.

Tangible Media Player

A collection of wood tokens start a playlist when set on the player. The tokens bring back some tangibility to the act of choosing and playing music. They can also load internet radio stations.

I remember finding a "record player" made in preschool with paper plate, pipe cleaner, buttons. If I choose this project I'll be honoring my small self that really wanted a cool little tangible music player.

Prior art

• Månsteri's Äänimuseo tangible sound player.

Closed-Eye VR

Closed-eye solar-powered VR visor. With eyes closed, chill in the sun light or with a bright lamp. An array of liquid crystal (LC) cells are activated at different intervals, giving the illusion of motion.

I like how this concept would need a tiny fraction of the energy needed for high-end virtual reality systems. The challenge of programming small low-energy microcontrollers is interesting.

Prior art

• Brion Gysin Dreamachine (1959)
• Geordi LaForge's VISOR is an obvious style inspiration.
• Mitch Altman's Neuro Dreamer flashes lights into your dreams to help you lucid dream.
• Active shutter 3D glasses could be a source of liquid crystal cell components, though smaller would be better to fit more.
• Auto Darkening Welding Helmet forehead-sized solar panel is enough to darken this style of welding mask, so I think it's feasible, if I can keep the electronics efficient enough.
• Adafruit Small Liquid Crystal Light Valve The closest component that I've been able to find. The small size is too big for my concept, though. 36 x 36 mm, $2.95.