Petra Sohnius

The Institute for Sensory Enhancement (ISE) engages with research on cyborgs, the augmentation of senses and its effects on the perception of space and time. 

Sensory substitution has already become a huge market, especially for visually impaired people, the design of augmented senses is already possible and might play an important role in the future. How could these new senses look like and how will they shape our perception of time and space in the virtual and the real world? 

The ISE aims to have further discussions around sensory substitution and sensory augmentation by designing probes that turn participants into 'temporary cyborgs', in order to make them experience sensory enhancements on their own. 

The design of the sensory cutlery set, which has different sensors attached to each piece, enhances the eating experience by emphasising movements through accordingly changing sounds and rhythms.