REWAKE is a design exercise that exists at the nexus of mobile technologies, networked objects and board sports. The goal of the exercise is to design a system capable of re-interpreting the experience of surf-skate-snow/boarding into a meaningful visual and sonic re-recreation.

This goal is in celebration of the convergence of mobile technologies and networked objects to both encourage and enhance our experiences within the real world.

REWAKE seeks to capture artifacts of our experiences, enabling them to be re-examined, re-interpreted, re-created and re-distributed.


Click above image to view REWAKE demo.

The visual re-interpretation of the boarding experience is informed by the metaphor of a wake, the turbulent flow that emanates from a mass as it moves through an environment.


Early visualization prototypes,click to view.

I use the trajectory, velocity and relative intensity of the rider's movements to generate the ribbon-like re-interpretation.

In addition, a 3D model of the respective board is juxtaposed to the visual, providing a simulated point of reference of the board's movement.

The modularity designed into the system enables it to be used in a variety of environments and conditions. This is illustrated in the below images.




Theory of operation:

1. A rider attaches the modular self-contained networked device to their board.
2. Activates the device using integrated on/off toggle switch.
3. Launches the REWAKE software on the Smartphone.
4. Freely explores environment while system logs mechanical activity.
5. Stops logging and uploads data via wireless access point.
6. Rider views visualization later by launching custom software suite.

The system's framework is comprised of three main components, a modular self- contained networked sensor device, a mobile application running on a Smartphone, and a custom software visualiation/sonification suite.

System's framework


The technical throughput is informed by five primary components:

1. Sensor device sends data to Smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Smartphone logs and stores data until it is uploaded to a server via http.
3. Wireless access points enables transmission of data for Smartphone to server.
4. Server stores data in a php script
5. Custom software suite pulls data from server and processes into information.

Technical throughput







As a board rider, I am excited to have developed a system that allows me to re-examine my performance. As an artist, I am excited to have created a new hybridized tool for self-expression.

- Vincent Dean Boyce

vincentdean@nyu.edu