Terra

Role: Research, Prototyping, Physical Computing, 3D modelling
Course: CIID Final Project, 9 weeks
Collaborators: Solo
Advisors: Chris Downs, Jose Chavarría, Jesper Svenning

Terra, named after the earth in Latin, is a wearable device that allows people to have an embodied experience to help ground them after moments of experiencing an emotional trigger. The device is linked to an app that prompts the user to reflect on why and where they used the device.

The project took nine weeks to complete, shaped by honest conversations with over 13 people who shared their lived experiences, and 9 collaborative sessions with subject matter experts.

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Design Challenge

There’s often a disconnect between what’s explored in therapy and how that insight translates into daily life. Many people with mental health conditions struggle with internal fear, self-doubt, and the sense that something is inherently “wrong” with them. They become overwhelmed by their thoughts and don’t know how to process emotions outside a therapeutic setting. Confronting feelings means facing triggers and taking responsibility—an intimidating, often isolating process.

While therapy offers a non-judgmental, objective voice, that kind of support is rarely present in everyday life. Talk-based approaches, which rely on rational expression, don’t work for everyone—especially when emotions feel too intense or language too limited. Beyond therapy, support systems often fall short. Friends and family may not know how to help, and stigma can discourage openness. Many withdraw during depressive episodes to avoid burdening others or being misunderstood.

How might we guide individuals to reconnect with their bodies when responding to a trigger, to help quiet mental spirals?

Concept

This project is a neck-worn wearable paired with a reflective app, designed to help individuals regulate their emotional state following moments of mental rumination or emotional overwhelm. Worn around the neck, the device delivers gentle vibrations that target specific pressure points, creating an experience similar to acupuncture or acupressure.

Designed to be worn with the users’ clothes and in any context, the portable wearable offers a grounding, embodied response that guides users back into their bodies and supports calm regulation in real time. Over time, this becomes a trusted voice the user can return to—familiar and supportive. These somatic experiences are designed to bring the user back into the body, helping regulate the nervous system without requiring a screen or external device.

Grounding device

The experience begins when the user places the wearable around their neck. When they sense that they need grounding, they gently cup the side of the band, covering a small light sensor embedded within. This intuitive gesture—pressing hand to body—activates the device through the drop in ambient light. A soft vibration signals the start of a moment held just for the user. The system asks how they’re feeling, and upon hearing their response, begins an audio journey through headphones.

Designed to foster safety and connection, the journey blends ambient sound with gentle guidance—helping regulate breath, bring awareness to bodily sensations, and ease feelings of isolation.

Companion App

One or two days later, the app gently prompts the user to reflect on the moment they used the device. Drawing from what the user previously expressed when they used the device, the app invites them to record a reflection: why they may have felt that way, what had happened, and how they feel now. These reflections are stored as a growing personal archive.

Recorded memories are translated and represented as color gradients and line graphs to display mood and intensity of feeling expressed.

Ideation + Prototyping

Form

I began by experimenting with different sensory modalities on the body—vibration, pressure, and temperature—to understand how physical feedback could bring someone into the present moment. Temperature proved to be too sharp and fleeting, offering more of a jolt than a grounding experience. Vibration, however, felt more embodied and subtle, especially when placed on specific points of the body.

I began prototyping wearable forms that could house both vibration motors and audio output near the upper neck and head. Early iterations included taped-on motors and bent acrylic structures to test fit and sensation placement. These evolved into 3D-printed prototypes where I explored variations in curvature, thickness, and length to optimize both comfort and functional alignment with pressure points. This iterative process helped refine a form that was both physically comfortable and therapeutically effective.

Tech

Software: Cursor, OpenAI LLM, ElevenLabs for voice, Figma (app design)
Components: Arduino, Vibration motors (3x), Light dependent resistor, Ethernet cable

Impact

Over time, as the user begins to notice their own patterns, the device becomes a tool for cultivating self-awareness. The system evolves alongside the user, helping them recognise early signs of emotional escalation, reflect on their behaviour, and build long-term emotional resilience.

By externalising emotional support in a tangible, wearable form, the device aims to normalise conversations around mental wellbeing—reducing stigma and empowering users to seek grounding and connection. Through repeated use, the wearable and app work together to gently shift the user toward a deeper understanding of their inner world.

Gayatri Kalra

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