RESHAPE18 | sensing materialities
wearable technology category
Avatar Run

Designers: Iris Foster, Fabio Villa

Avatar Running 19800V

Our lives today are increasingly virtual. Social interactions, communication, entertainment, work – to a large extent, these all take place in the virtual realm. Up until this point, our interaction with that virtual realm has mainly been through screens without any physical interaction. With the recent widespread release of virtual reality devices, e.g. Oculus Rift, we are presented with new opportunities finally stepping into action and combining running with
these immersive virtual worlds.
Designers are always seeking the new and innovative as virtual space presents inherently different opportunities that exceed physical space. Designers need to start thinking about virtual reality as not just a tool, but as an end medium in itself. In the future electronics are physically part of the textile structure and the difference between regular and e-textiles won’t be seen anymore. While this perfect form of an e-textile does not exist, yet, people are
already experimenting with fibers that can generate electricity through movement. This project presents new design aesthetics for virtual running spaces, digital surfaces, as well as a collection of corresponding smart textiles that reflect and show the growing capabilities of an immersive virtual future.

Therefore, the current ideals of design aesthetics need to explored and questioned. Part of the research process was to declare the domain of computer-generated worlds, future technologies and innovations. This information was used to design new spheres and avatars, linked to the needs of five different running consumers. As a part of that process, predictions of future evolution progress were revealed and influenced the design progress itself. A
collection of materials represents the new possibilities and trends for the running market in the sportswear industry.
The Concept for “Avatar Running” subdivides three different areas of focus; the runner, the material and the virtual realm. Each domain needs to meet its requirements and synergize with each other to outline a coherent overall idea.
The Runner is the key component, as he interrelates between the physical movement in a real environment and a virtual world. The run itself takes places on a special treadmill while experiencing an alternate reality through VR goggles. Through sensors, individually placed on the runners’ gear, the run itself gets tracked. Every run shows different characteristics, distinguished through variant factors e.g. agility, endurance, pace or vibration. Emotions are
the most important qualities to differentiate while running, therefore the sensors need to placed specifically according to the emotions of each emotional driver, transforming movements into motion.

Running with VR devices, requires an individual VR environment. The virtual experience is based on the needs of the emotional drivers and uses its individual design languages to create virtual running spaces. As a new way of storytelling, the virtual realm provides unlimited opportunities and spaces to fill with creativity. Physical limitations become inoperative, manufacturing retrenchments are non-existent and color restrictions are absolute. Hence, a virtual playground with striking possibilities offers a new tool to be utilized.
The first material execution shows options on how sensors can be placed in different fabrics.
The five materials need to fit the characteristics of its wearer and meet the requirements for sportswear duties. Furthermore, the materials differ in manufacturing, technique and implementation.
The second part of the material execution are 3D printed objects, which were created virtually through the emotions captured, during the run. As a new way of personalization, the sensors track data, which will be transformed into new structures through an algorithm.
Digital created objects, capture the unique personality of each run and offer a new way to transform virtual design aesthetics into concrete exhibits. The digital development process in combination with the actual printing method forges a link between both worlds.