ChromaWait

Lighting and Interactivity
Physical Computing / IoT / MQTT / Light Installation
Spring 2022, New York.


Role:
Website Development and Coding, MQTT Integration, Researcher, Concept Developer

Collaborator:
Shannon Yang - Light Pattern Coding, Concept Developer

OVERVIEW

ChromaWait is an innovative waiting room light design for clinics. When patients submit their sign-in sheets through their phones, the light installation in the waiting room responds by illuminating with a unique color assigned to each patient. As time passes, the color gradually expands, occupying more area, until it's time for the patient to be attended to. This captivating display offers a subtle and engaging hint of their estimated waiting time.

The ChromaWait will be installed on the wall facing the patients' seats in the waiting room and integrated with the clinic's check-in and call system. When patients arrive at the waiting room and fill out the sign-in sheet, they will receive a unique color with an animated cue indicating that the color is being transmitted to ChromaWait.

This color will be dynamically incorporated into the ChromaWait's light pattern, and as the wait time progresses, the color representing each patient will gradually occupy a larger portion of the ChromaWait.

When the doctor is ready to see the patient, the color will expand and dissipate, signaling that it's time for the patient's appointment.



This color will be dynamically incorporated into the ChromaWait's light pattern, and as the wait time progresses, the color representing each patient will gradually occupy a larger portion of the ChromaWait.

When the doctor is ready to see the patient, the color will expand and dissipate, signaling that it's time for the patient's appointment.



Code Repository ︎︎︎

CONCEPT

ChromaWait aims to create a waiting room experience that promotes relaxation, minimizes distress, and fosters a sense of well-being, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction and clinic efficiency.

We utilize natural movement patterns to create a calming and relaxing environment for patients, easing their nervousness and anxiety. By assigning unique colors to each patient, we introduce an engaging element that helps distract them from the passing time, reducing boredom during the wait.

This approach leverages cognitive distraction to enhance the patient's experience. Engaging their attention with evolving colors, patients are less focused on the wait itself, resulting in a more positive emotional state and reduced stress levels.

These colors also subtly indicate the estimated waiting time, allowing patients to mentally prepare. It also instills a sense of control over their schedule, reducing feelings of uncertainty and helplessness.

At the end of the experience, where colors expand and dissipate, contributes to a sense of liberation from anxiety and implies reassurance that everything will be fine.

RESEARCH AND PROCESS

ChromaWait is controlled by Arduino NANO 33 IoT. The exchange of information between the Arduino, the patient check-in webpage, and the doctor's call webpage is facilitated through MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport).