01 — Objective + Concept + Research
A wearable companion that makes connecting at events effortless.
For many people, the hardest part of any event isn't the conversation — it's the first move. Pip is a wearable badge using NFC to remove that barrier. Tap devices, find your match, start talking.
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(o . o)
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/|_|\
ELVA
strategist
__|__
[o + o]
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B
designer
/^^\
(x . x)
\vvv/
/| |\
XINYI
hardware
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|o_o |
|\_/ |
'---'
LLUVIA
design
/~~~\
(^ . ^)
)___(
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EM
research
"I always have a line of anxiety — whether I can cross it or not. The device does its job of carrying me through that line — like a good friend beside me."
— H1, Round 2 prototype testing
The Problem + Research Foundation
The barrier
ENTRY, NOT CAPABILITY
Introverted individuals are not less socially capable — initiating interaction simply requires more effort and carries a stronger expectation of negative outcomes (Wilt & Revelle, 2009). The problem is starting, not sustaining.
Research finding — Li et al. 2025
SIGNALS = CONNECTIONS
Explicit signals of openness significantly increase the likelihood of strangers forming new connections by reducing uncertainty around whether interaction is welcome. Pip is that signal.
Concept — Tamir et al. 2024
33% IS PLENTY
"Even 10% is fine — I'd want to figure out what that 10% is. It feels a bit magical." (H1) — Stranger conversations become more enjoyable as people gradually establish common ground. Pip starts that process.
Our answer
WEAR IT
TAP IT
MEET PEOPLE
Badge-worn, NFC-tap to connect, compatibility score + conversation prompt. No awkward opener required.
[ tag: books ]
[ tag: music ]
[ tag: ????? ]
> customise
CUSTOMISABLE PROMPT SETS
Replace interest tags with context-specific prompts — career goals, skills, project pitches. Pip adapts for professional conferences, hackathons, or job fairs beyond social events.
→ context-switching
BPM: ---
[private]
vvv~~~^^^
only u see
BIOFEEDBACK (OPT-IN)
A gentle vibration or private visual cue when social energy is high — not broadcast to others, but a personal signal to pace yourself through an event. Always opt-in, never public.
→ internal regulation
* . * . *
. [o] . [o]
* . [o] .
[o] . * .
* . * . *
COLLECTIVE PRESENCE MAP
Already available in Pip — avatars cluster by shared interests in real time. A future direction: pairing this with BLE beacons or UWB anchors to surface rough room location, so you can see not just who shares your interests, but roughly where in the space they are.
→ BLE / UWB · spatial awareness
[ Name ₍ᐢ..ᐢ₎ ⊹ ]
/hat/ /cape/
message: hello ♡ᵕ̈
DEEPER AVATAR IDENTITY
Expand avatar customisation — choose accessories, expressions, and animated states from a full library upfront. Your avatar is yours from the start. The goal is self-expression, not achievement.
→ self-expression · identity
Pip is a working NFC prototype. Every decision — from the badge form factor to the wildcard prompt — was shaped by real user research with introverted participants across two testing rounds at UTS.
PIP
SWEET 16
UTS 2026
▓▓▓▓▓▓
Pip was developed over five sprints as part of 42070 Prototyping Physical Interaction at UTS. Through user research, paper prototyping, hardware development, and usability testing with real participants, the project evolved into a wearable device designed to support social connection.
Combining research, interaction design, engineering, and visual identity, Pip explores how technology can act as a social catalyst — helping people take the first step, not replacing the conversation itself.
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( ELVA )
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(_____)
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ELVA YAPUTRA
Concept Development · User Journey · Interaction Logic
Strategist
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( B )
\ o o /
(_____)
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B SRIPANHA
Enclosure & 3D Design · User Research · Visual Direction
Design + Research
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( XINYI )
\ - - /
(_____)
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XINYI
Hardware · Code · Electronics
Hardware Dev
// no linkedin
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(LLUVIA )
\ . . /
(_____)
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LLUVIA CHENG
Research · Interview · Paper Prototype
Research
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( EVLYN )
\ ^ ^ /
(_____)
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EVELYN
Product Manager
PM
// no linkedin
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( EM )
\ - - /
(_____)
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ONVARA P.
Research · Interview · Paper Prototype
Research
// references
Wilt, J., & Revelle, W. (2009). Extraversion. In M. R. Leary & R. H. Hoyle (Eds.), Handbook of Individual Differences in Social Behavior. Guilford Press.
Li, Y., et al. (2025). Openness signals and stranger connection. Journal of Social Psychology.
Tamir, D. I., et al. (2024). Common ground in stranger conversations. Psychological Science.