breathto

Breathto is a term encountered in speculative design and early-stage human-computer interaction research to describe interfaces that translate breathing patterns into digital input. The term blends breath and to, signaling a directional action where respiration acts as a control modality rather than a mere physiological signal. The concept has appeared in speculative design literature and experimental HCI work since the 2010s, as researchers explored non-muscular means of interaction.

In practice, breathto refers to a system that uses sensors such as a respiratory belt, spirometer, or ultrasonic chest sensors to capture parameters like rate, depth, rhythm, and breath-hold. These signals are processed by software that maps breathing events to commands, such as selecting an item, adjusting a parameter, or triggering an event in a virtual environment. The mappings can be simple (for example, inhale to move forward) or complex (patterned breathing to navigate menus), often augmented by real-time feedback to aid user control.

Applications span mental health and relaxation training, rehabilitation for motor impairments, assistive technology for people with limited limb function, and interactive installations or games. The approach emphasizes low physical strain and accessibility but faces challenges including sensor drift, individual variability, learning curves, and concerns about privacy and data security.

See also biofeedback, respiration monitoring, brain–computer interface, human–computer interaction.