Despina Papadopoulos

m-bracelet: mobile money

The m-Bracelet was developed for NCR in 1998 as part of a pioneering research project which predated e-payments by 15 years. Investigating the introduction of wearable computing applications in financial transactions and in particular for use with ATM machines, the m-bracelet targeted teenage users and explored novel ways to bring financial transactions closer to daily experiences, while at the same time infusing them with a sense of play, connectivity and serendipity. The m-bracelet was a fully functioning prototype, using a 2-wire communication protocol, a flexible circuit with injected molded cover (at the time an untested process), conductive velcro as clasp, a grid of RGB LEDs, and a closed network communication capabilities. Truly ahead of its time both in concept and manufacturing techniques!