Arduino: Healthy Living – A Performance Technology Project

This project was conducted as part of the Performance Technology module in the B.Sc. Music, Media & Performance Technology programme in the University of Limerick.

Healthy Living is an Arduino based art installation designed to the represent the health levels of virtual people over their respective lifetimes. Each light bulb represents the life cycle of a person from birth to death, with the light intensity degrading in correlation with their stage of life. The piece visualises the effects of healthy living versus an apathetic lifestyle. Each person has a lifespan of 30 minutes. The bulb begins at full brightness, and as time passes it gradually fades to symbolise their waning life. Additional factors, such as weather and exercise will affect the outcomes of their life’s duration. Healthy choices increases the vibrancy of life, while unhealthy choices are detrimental. One Arduino is assigned to each virtual person, with one separately being assigned to be a Master controller.