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A new device designed to measure stress has been revealed as one of the early appearances of biometric feedback in games.
The PIP, from Dublin startup Galvanic, is held between two fingers and is designed to measure the stress level of a user through "electrodermal activity".
As a person becomes increasingly stressed, their body secretes more sweat. Since sweat is conductive, stress can be measured by the conductivity of the skin.
By monitoring "EDA", Galvanic says the PIP will provide users with feedback about their stress level in real-time.
The primary use of the device is to help people become aware and in control of their stress level.
To demonstrate the potential of the new tech, Galvanic has developed a few game prototypes that use the device’s input as a game controler.
In one example two users play as racing dragons each controlled by a PIP device. As the player’s stress level decreases, their dragon speeds up.
In another game players attempt to beat a lie detector that operates off of information gathered from the PIP.
In both cases, the goal is to help the user recognise their psychological state and learn to control it – a lesson Galvanic hopes will carry over into stressful situations in everyday life.
The PIP works with iOS and Android devices through Bluetooth.
The device is out of the design phase, and is due to hit Kickstarter today.
