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2026 Galleries // 2026 Spark: Spring Student // VIBO

VIBO

Winner - Silver

Competition: Spark: Spring Student
Designer: Seungjun Ji
Design Type:
Company / Organization / School: KDM+
Team Members: Seungjun Ji, Yeonwoo Song, Hyeonseock Shin & Jeongmin Ok

Youth with cochlear implants often want to sing and express their energy, but they face a significant barrier: the inability to perceive their own vocal pitch. This lack of immediate sensory feedback causes fear and hesitation, isolating them from musical activities. Conventional cochlear implants and hearing aids focus on amplifying sound, which does not solve the problem of pitch recognition. VIBO is a pitch haptic device designed to address this issue by translating audio frequencies into physical vibrations, allowing users to feel pitch through their hands.
VIBO is designed in the familiar shape of a tambourine. The product's appearance is a circular donut shape inspired by a tambourine, which is advantageous for evenly transmitting vibrations to the entire hand. The device consists of a ring structure that splits into two separate modules. Users grip it with both hands and twist to separate the two halves. The left module acts as a guide, providing the pitch of the original song through vibrations and a visual display. The right module functions as a microphone, capturing the user's voice and providing real-time tactile feedback of their own pitch. By comparing the vibrations in both hands, users can adjust their voice to match the target notes.
The core technology relies on a tactile pitch system. VIBO uses 9 Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) motors to map 36 distinct notes, covering three octaves including semitones. Instead of using 36 separate motors, it adjusts the intensity of adjacent motors. This allows for precise pitch recognition without making the device heavy.
To maximize vibration transmission, VIBO uses a thin TPE over-molding over a rigid plastic frame and incorporates raised haptic nodes. This structure prevents the vibration dampening effect caused by thick silicone, driving the vibrations directly to the skin to provide a clear resolution.
The physical interface is designed for intuitive musical practice. The left module features a loop and play button, allowing users to practice specific sections of a song repeatedly without looking at a smartphone.
Ultimately, VIBO shifts the focus of assistive technology from simple compensation to self-expression and joy. By providing an alternative sensory pathway, VIBO empowers youth with cochlear implants to overcome the fear of singing, build self-confidence, and actively participate in musical experiences.