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Project name Zizi the affectionate couch
Organisation Twenty121
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URL http://www.twenty121.com/Twenty121/Zizi.html
Tags couch, support, physical, emotional, response, experiment, human computer interface,
Text Zizi is a couch that supports you not only physically but also emotionally. She is a mixture of a shaved poodle, a fluffy cat and an exotic sea slug. Zizi growls when sat upon, purrs when touched and groans with delight when you stroke her fur. If left alone, she mews for attention. Inspired by the fluffy flight deck on board Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy's space-ship, Zizi the affectionate couch is an experiment in human computer interface, making a move away from the screen and mouse based interactives that are the dominant paradigm in media art works. Zizi's reactions are triggered by motion sensors that activate nine vibrating audio devices to simulate purring. Digital signal processing and behavioural algorithms determine her responses.