Jay Vidyarthi, a Masters student at British Columbia’s Simon Fraser University, has developed a system that turns breathing patterns into dynamic soundscapes. The Sonic Cradle is a sensory deprivation chamber that asks users to relax in a suspension swing and influence the creation of sound through the rhythm and intensity of their breath.

By cutting off all stimuli other than what is being created by the user’s breathing, the Cradle hopes to provide a simple way for participants to receive the psychological benefits of meditation. The project’s goal is to melt away stress while exploring how interactive media can immerse users “without complex visual displays or narrative story-worlds.”

-Reid McCarter