Horror Vacui 0.1.5 (LAT for „afraid of empty space“) is a corona distance measuring device. The wearable is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, which measures the minimum distance of 1,5 meters to another person. The device was designed, so that also people with a certain level of disabilities would benefit from it. A deaf person for example would be able to perceive the signals through the incorporated vibration motor, while someone unable to see would hear the signals originated from the piezoelectric, warning the user if the minimum distance is not reached. The closer the user gets, the more the motor vibrates and the shorter the pauses between each emitted sound.

The following pictures served as an inspiration for the name „Horror Vacui“. I was cutting my hair as I get the inspiration thinking about the fact officials were telling people to maintain a safety distance from one another, the so called social distancing. Although people were still able to stay 1,5 meters to the next person, many were still afraid this was not enough and consequently increasing the distance. Since one can not measure the effective distance with the naked eye this act would trigger first and maintain then a latent „fear of empty space“

I designed the circuit board myself, with the idea of not only having something purely functional, but also creating a wearable that is beautiful to look at. The process followed three basic steps: a pen and paper sketch, translate the idea digitally and the first prototype.