• WHAT: An ornamental lamp that detects and “echos” your heartbeat in realtime.

• HOW: Just place your hands on either side of the base, then watch as it throbs to match your heartbeat. 

• WHY: It’s is a unique experience to “see” your heartbeat, and that can allow you to calm yourself using biofeedback.

• WHO: For anyone who needs to calm down.

Demo Video

PulseLamp in Italian GQ!

How I Built It

• I used a circuit board for an OEM heart rate monitor designed to be integrated with exercise equipment.

• When a user makes hand contact with the conductive metal attached to the circuit board, the electrical impulse of their heart muscle contraction is detected and amplified by the circuit board

• This amplified signal triggers a digital 5V pulse to be sent to a PIC microchip.

• The PIC chip in turn sends a series of MIDI commands to a MIDI-controlled light board, which powers the lamp bulbs.