Remote Heart Rate Sensing and Projection to Renew Traditional Board Games and Foster Social Interactions

Abstract: While physiological sensors enter the mass market and reach the general public, they are still mainly employed to monitor health -- whether it is for medical purpose or sports. We describe an application that uses heart rate feedback as an incentive for social interactions. A traditional board game has been "augmented" through remote physiological sensing, using webcams. Projection helped to conceal the technological aspects from users. We detail how players reacted -- stressful situations could emerge when users are deprived from their own signals -- and we give directions for game designers to integrate physiological sensors.