Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic

Bill Gaver; Andy Boucher; Dean Brown; David Chatting; Naho Matsuda; Liliana Ovalle Piedra; Andrew Sheen; Michail Vanis

doi:10.1145/3491102.3517547

Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic

Bill Gaver, Andy Boucher, Dean Brown, David Chatting, Naho Matsuda, Liliana Ovalle Piedra, Andrew Sheen, Michail Vanis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

41 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Yo–Yo Machines are playful communication devices designed to help people feel socially connected while physically separated. We designed them to reach as many people as possible, both to make a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess a self-build approach to circulating research products and the appeal of peripheral and expressive communication devices. A portfolio of four distinct designs, based on over 30 years of research, were made available for people to make by following simple online instructions (yoyomachines.io). Each involves connecting a pair of identical devices over the internet to allow simple communication at a distance. This paper describes our motivation for the project, previous work in the area, the design of the devices, supporting website and publicity, and how users have made and used Yo-Yo Machines. Finally, we reflect on what we learned about peripheral and expressive communication devices and implications for the self-build approach.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Editors	Simone Barbosa, Cliff Lampe, Caroline Appert, David A. Shamma, Steven Drucker, Julie Williamson, Kota Yatani
Place of Publication	New York, US
Publisher	ACM
Pages	1-17
Number of pages	17
ISBN (Electronic)	9781450391573
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517547
Publication status	Published - 29 Apr 2022
Event	ACM CHI 2022 - 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA, United States Duration: 30 Apr 2022 → 5 May 2022 https://chi2022.acm.org/

Publication series

Name	Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference	ACM CHI 2022
Country/Territory	United States
City	New Orleans, LA
Period	30/04/22 → 5/05/22
Internet address	https://chi2022.acm.org/

Keywords

IoT
design research
open source
peripheral and expressive communication
research through design
self-build

Research Group keywords

Interaction Research Studio

Access to Document

10.1145/3491102.3517547

Yo_Yo_Machines_AAM_Accepted author manuscript, 1.66 MB

Cite this

Gaver, B., Boucher, A., Brown, D., Chatting, D., Matsuda, N., Ovalle Piedra, L., Sheen, A., & Vanis, M. (2022). Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic . In S. Barbosa, C. Lampe, C. Appert, D. A. Shamma, S. Drucker, J. Williamson, & K. Yatani (Eds.), CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-17). Article 458 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517547

Gaver, Bill ; Boucher, Andy ; Brown, Dean et al. / Yo–Yo Machines : Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic . CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. editor / Simone Barbosa ; Cliff Lampe ; Caroline Appert ; David A. Shamma ; Steven Drucker ; Julie Williamson ; Kota Yatani. New York, US : ACM, 2022. pp. 1-17 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

@inproceedings{77abc968b4dc441ab62fe2b9e6ddffc2,

title = "Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic ",

abstract = "Yo–Yo Machines are playful communication devices designed to help people feel socially connected while physically separated. We designed them to reach as many people as possible, both to make a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess a self-build approach to circulating research products and the appeal of peripheral and expressive communication devices. A portfolio of four distinct designs, based on over 30 years of research, were made available for people to make by following simple online instructions (yoyomachines.io). Each involves connecting a pair of identical devices over the internet to allow simple communication at a distance. This paper describes our motivation for the project, previous work in the area, the design of the devices, supporting website and publicity, and how users have made and used Yo-Yo Machines. Finally, we reflect on what we learned about peripheral and expressive communication devices and implications for the self-build approach.",

keywords = "IoT, design research, open source, peripheral and expressive communication, research through design, self-build",

author = "Bill Gaver and Andy Boucher and Dean Brown and David Chatting and Naho Matsuda and {Ovalle Piedra}, Liliana and Andrew Sheen and Michail Vanis",

note = "Funding Information: We are grateful to the many makers who engaged with the project and gave us feedback in many forms, and particularly Rosa, Kristina and {\textquoteleft}Mathilde{\textquoteright}. We also thank Jen Molinera for her contributions throughout. This research as funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grant number EP/V026399/1.; ACM CHI 2022 ; Conference date: 30-04-2022 Through 05-05-2022",

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doi = "10.1145/3491102.3517547",

language = "English",

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publisher = "ACM",

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editor = "Simone Barbosa and Cliff Lampe and Caroline Appert and Shamma, {David A.} and Steven Drucker and Julie Williamson and Kota Yatani",

booktitle = "CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems",

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Gaver, B , Boucher, A , Brown, D, Chatting, D, Matsuda, N , Ovalle Piedra, L , Sheen, A & Vanis, M 2022, Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic . in S Barbosa, C Lampe, C Appert, DA Shamma, S Drucker, J Williamson & K Yatani (eds), CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems., 458, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, ACM, New York, US, pp. 1-17, ACM CHI 2022, New Orleans, LA, United States, 30/04/22. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517547

Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic . / Gaver, Bill ; Boucher, Andy ; Brown, Dean et al.
CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. ed. / Simone Barbosa; Cliff Lampe; Caroline Appert; David A. Shamma; Steven Drucker; Julie Williamson; Kota Yatani. New York, US: ACM, 2022. p. 1-17 458 (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AU - Gaver, Bill

AU - Boucher, Andy

AU - Brown, Dean

AU - Chatting, David

AU - Matsuda, Naho

AU - Ovalle Piedra, Liliana

AU - Sheen, Andrew

AU - Vanis, Michail

N1 - Funding Information: We are grateful to the many makers who engaged with the project and gave us feedback in many forms, and particularly Rosa, Kristina and ‘Mathilde’. We also thank Jen Molinera for her contributions throughout. This research as funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grant number EP/V026399/1.

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Y1 - 2022/4/29

N2 - Yo–Yo Machines are playful communication devices designed to help people feel socially connected while physically separated. We designed them to reach as many people as possible, both to make a positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess a self-build approach to circulating research products and the appeal of peripheral and expressive communication devices. A portfolio of four distinct designs, based on over 30 years of research, were made available for people to make by following simple online instructions (yoyomachines.io). Each involves connecting a pair of identical devices over the internet to allow simple communication at a distance. This paper describes our motivation for the project, previous work in the area, the design of the devices, supporting website and publicity, and how users have made and used Yo-Yo Machines. Finally, we reflect on what we learned about peripheral and expressive communication devices and implications for the self-build approach.

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KW - design research

KW - open source

KW - peripheral and expressive communication

KW - research through design

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BT - CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

A2 - Barbosa, Simone

A2 - Lampe, Cliff

A2 - Appert, Caroline

A2 - Shamma, David A.

A2 - Drucker, Steven

A2 - Williamson, Julie

A2 - Yatani, Kota

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ER -

Gaver B , Boucher A , Brown D, Chatting D, Matsuda N , Ovalle Piedra L et al. Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic . In Barbosa S, Lampe C, Appert C, Shamma DA, Drucker S, Williamson J, Yatani K, editors, CHI 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. New York, US: ACM. 2022. p. 1-17. 458. (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings). doi: 10.1145/3491102.3517547

Yo–Yo Machines: Self-Build Devices that Support Social Connections During the Pandemic

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Keywords

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