Brazilian architect and designer Guto Requena is known for his two favourite muses: love and technology. His latest project, Heartbits, is an innovative tool that sets both in motion. Developed in tandem by Estudio Guto Requena and Midiadub, Heartbits is an app that collects your heartbeats, transforms the data into sounds, and sends them to those you love.
The project was conceived as a response to the toll that the coronavirus pandemic has had on our mental health. As feelings of loneliness, anxiety and longing are intensified due to social distancing, many of us are searching for better, more intimate ways to communicate with the people we’ve been missing.
“Nothing can replace a tight hug, but the union between technology, art and design has the power to shorten distances, connect us with each other and get us closer to those we love,” explains the team.
To use the app, all you need to do is cover your phone’s back camera with your index finger, and relax. Sensors will collect your heartbeat through the pulse on your finger, and the app will package this information into a series of sounds and vibrations, along with a 15-second video. With its easy, intuitive design, Heartbits offers a glimpse into how digital devices could one day shape our emotional experiences.
The app is now available for download at Google Play & App Store.