Eyebrow Switch - A Facial Gestural Control for your Electronics

If you happen to be genetically predisposed with the talent of raising each brow at will, then Robert Carlsen's Brauswitch may be just what you need to control all your electronics.

I simply love this project — partly because it's playful and absurd and partly because it uses facial expressions as a control device.

Carlsen made a digital switch out of a headband using burlap and conductive fabric. A slit between the the upper and lower portions separate the two conductive strips. When an eyebrow is raised, closing the gap and making a connection, a sound is triggered.

Why is this Important?

The Brauswitch is a novel exploration of using the body (and face) as possible gestural controls. I'm not so clear as to what a practical application can be here (the obvious is ipod controls) but I think it certainly has some playful potential in the entertainment, art and gaming arena.