Digestive Tumble
Made with ❤️ by Rohit Ashok Khot, Jason Ng, & Deepti Aggarwal
Digestive Tumble is an innovative 3D interactive system that brings the human digestive system to life. Its main goal is to raise awareness about the intricate workings of our digestive system and encourage individuals to reflect on their eating habits. This incredible system consists of eight captivating 3D modules, each representing a different stage of the digestion process. From the initial act of feeding to the final step of excretion, Digestive Tumble covers it all.
What makes this system truly fascinating is its ability to simulate the digestion of various food groups. Whether it's grains, meat, vegetables, fruits, or dairy, Digestive Tumble has got you covered. Users get to actively engage with the system by inserting tokens that represent different food groups. These tokens are then translated into colorful beads, each representing a specific micronutrient. These beads embark on a journey through the different blocks of the system, showcasing the digestion process of the chosen food item. The speed at which these beads travel through the system varies depending on the type of meal consumed. For instance, vegetables and fruits, being easily digestible, will swiftly traverse through the system. On the other hand, grains, meat, and dairy will undergo a slower digestion process, reflected by the beads' leisurely pace.
What makes Digestive Tumble unique?
Digestive Tumble is not only an educational tool but also a thought-provoking experience. It encourages individuals to reflect on their eating practices and make informed choices about their diet. So, dive into the world of Digestive Tumble and unravel the mysteries of your own digestive system!
Digestive Tumble in Action
Unveiling the Invisible
The human digestive system, a cornerstone of our overall well-being, often remains a mysterious realm for many. Traditional learning mediums offer static depictions, making it challenging for individuals to visualize the dynamic operations occurring within their own bodies. Digestive Tumble steps into this void, providing a tangible and interactive experience that simplifies the intricacies of digestion.
Simplifying Complexity
Digestive Tumble takes inspiration from the analogy of the body as a factory, with organs as machines. Recognizing the need for simplicity, the system presents a visually engaging yet straightforward representation of the digestive processes. Abstraction becomes a powerful tool, allowing users to easily comprehend and engage with the complexities of digestion.
Personalizing the Experience
Unlike generic representations, Digestive Tumble goes a step further by personalizing the digestive journey. It visualizes the digestion of different meals consumed throughout the day, prompting users to reflect on their unique dietary choices. This personal relevance adds a layer of introspection to the learning experience, making it more impactful.
Fostering Shared Understanding
Digestive Tumble transcends individual reflection, creating opportunities for shared learning within households. By externalizing the body's organs, the system facilitates family discussions about the 'how' and 'why' of each other's dietary choices. It transforms a traditionally stigmatized topic into an open conversation starter.
A Glance into Well-being
Mimicking the slowness of digestion, Digestive Tumble serves as a glanceable reflection tool. Its unobtrusive design allows users to check the status of their digestion at a glance, promoting mindful interactions. The system operates silently in the background, encouraging users to reflect on their dietary decisions without continuous attention.
Digestive Tumble TEI 2022 conference presentation
Contributions to Human-Computer Interaction
Digestive Tumble contributes to the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) by introducing a tangible and personal approach to body learning. It pioneers the visualization of internal digestive processes, opening new avenues for interactive models of complex systems.
Looking Ahead
As Digestive Tumble takes its place in homes, it marks a shift in how we perceive and reflect on our digestive health. This tangible system bridges the gap between traditional learning methods and the need for a more personal, interactive understanding of our body's intricate processes. In a world where dietary choices significantly impact overall health, Digestive Tumble emerges as a catalyst for change—a playful and tangible tool empowering individuals to make informed decisions for a healthier tomorrow.
Research publications
Rohit Ashok Khot, Jason Ng, and Deepti Aggarwal. 2022. Crafting Tangible Interfaces for Human Digestion : Unpacking the Research through Design Prototyping Journey. In Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI'22), ACM, 1-15.