Ampathy (Vibration Speaker) by Hyungjun Koo
2016 - 2017, Platinum A' Digital and Electronic Devices Design Award Winner

Inspiration
Ampathy is a compound word for 'amplifier' and 'empathy'. The speaker substitutes sound into solid vibration, and amplifies the listener's emotions with it. Ampathy can produce sound and vibration together, so deaf people can communicate culturally by enjoying music or movie together with their friends and families.

Creativity
People who have auditory disorders were isolated from communications with others. They were excluded from social cultural activities such as listening to music or watching a movie. They cannot hear sounds, but they are very sensitive to vibrations. This speaker substitutes sound into solid vibration, and amplifies the listener's emotions with it. Ampathy can produce sound and vibration together, so deaf people can communicate culturally by enjoying music or movie together with their friends and families.

Design Challenges
The most difficult task was to create the devices shapes. I continued thinking about form which appropriate for feeling vibration. and made several soft mock-ups After that, I drew some sketches from my shape inspirations and make 3D modeling & rendering with rhino 3D & Keyshots. At last, I edited images using a photoshops It was little bit hard because I didn’t make my previous project in that quality

Production Technology
Upper, lower register speakers and a vibration module is installed in the speaker for three-dimensional vibration experience and wireless rechargeable device is installed for easy battery recharge when the device is on the cradle. The surface is made with fabric material for soft sensation, and with the interaction which is inspired by the wave of water, the users can control the upper touch panel intuitionally.