Student: Katy Linn (CMU, Making Things Interact Spring 2010)
iBuffy is an interactive kickboxing heavy bag. iBuffy serves the two missing components of a home kickboxing workout. Firstly, it can be programmed with combinations and routines for a great workout. iBuffy indicates where to hit next, similar to a Rock Band or Dance Dance Revolution song. Secondly, it senses the force with the targets are hit, and adjusts the pace accordingly, to ensure that proper form is being kept, guarantee the most effective workout.Kickboxing classes can be held with no equipment, or with heavy bags, wrist wraps, and punching gloves. During a class, an instructor calls out routines and combinations of basic the kicks and punches that students can practice at their own pace in the time allowed. The instructor oversees students, adjusting paces to ensure that appropriate form is being kept.
While kickboxing classes are extremely popular and border line addictive, punching bags in the home often sit unused, collecting dust until they are sold on craigslist to collect dust in someone else’s basement. I hypothesize that the practicing in the home lacks the interactive nature of a kickboxing class, lacking an instructor to set pace and call out routines and combinations.