WondR: Bringing Touch to Life
Being pregnant is an intimate bonding experience for a couple. How a mother feels when her baby kicks for the first time is irreplaceable. But there are moments the father misses out on—moments that could bring him closer to the child he's waiting to meet.
That's the question we asked when we designed WondR, a system that transforms pregnancy into a shared experience for both parents. With two other designers, I created WondR as a seamless interaction design project that leverages touch, haptics, and natural interaction metaphors to connect expectant fathers to the experience of pregnancy.
The complete WondR ecosystem: Belt, Band, and Mobile App working in harmony
The Heart of the System
At the heart of WondR is a practical belly support with a sensing unit that monitors the baby's activity. The system doesn't just track—it invites participation. The mother can play ambient music for the baby and transmit real-time information to the father's WondR band.
The WondR Belt: Practical support with integrated sensing technology and natural interaction metaphors
Natural Touch Interactions
When he clasps his hands, he feels the baby's heartbeat. The baby's nuanced motions translate into fluidic haptics on his forearm, creating a rich tapestry of physical sensations that mirror the baby's movements.
The WondR Band: Heart beat sensor, tangible projections, and intuitive caressing interactions
"The WondR ecosystem doesn't stop at touch. Through the WondR pod, the father's voice reaches the unborn child, supporting early psychological development and making the bonding experience even more profound."
As he speaks, he can play calming ambient sounds by caressing the surface of the band, making the interaction feel natural, almost instinctive.
Digital Connection
The experience is supported by the WondR mobile app, which displays the pregnancy journey, including health metrics and significant baby activity recorded from the mother's belt. If the father misses a meaningful movement, he can replay it anytime through the band, bridging the physical distance with digital connection.
The WondR mobile app: Complete pregnancy journey tracking with intuitive interface design across all screens
The Power of Natural Metaphors
What made WondR so special to me wasn't just the technology—it was how we used natural metaphors of touch to make the interaction feel human. Instead of technical gestures, we designed interactions inspired by how people already communicate love and care—swiping, holding, caressing.
Key Design Principles
- Natural touch metaphors that feel instinctive
- Haptic feedback that mirrors real baby movements
- Seamless connection between physical and digital experiences
- Inclusive design that brings fathers into the pregnancy journey
- Technology that enhances rather than replaces human connection
The result was a system that enriched the pregnancy experience for both parents, especially the father, and earned us recognition at the UX Design Awards and was selected as a Top 5 project in the German UPA UX Challenge 2022.
Reflection
For me, WondR is a reminder that interaction design isn't just about screens and buttons—it's about creating connections that feel natural and deeply human. It's about transforming technology into an extension of ourselves, speaking the language we already know: the language of touch.
To see more about this project and its recognition, visit the UX Design Awards page