Hush is a noise-cancelling headrest paired with a tablet-based UI application, designed for individuals in loud urban environments. The headrest uses TLV2372 op-amps in an active noise cancellation circuit. The noise is inverted and mixed with soothing environmental audio. The ANC mixed with acoustic foam and sound-absorbing fabric enhances noise reduction. The tablet interface allows users to control and choose soundscapes to create a calming experience for relaxation or focus.
Over six iterative stages, I first modelled the headrest shell in CAD and sliced it into 32 segments to fit my desktop 3D printer. After printing each piece, I epoxied them into a seamless arch. Next, I designed and assembled a compact PCB around the TLV2372IP dual op-amp: two channels capture ambient noise via onboard microphones, invert that signal, and feed it into an analog mixer. A tablet plugs into the same mixer via its headphone jack to supply live nature sounds, which blend with the inverted noise before driving the miniature speakers. I bonded high-density acoustic foam around the shell for passive soundproofing, hand-sewed a soft fabric cover to finish the form, and bolted the entire assembly onto a standard office chair. This process balanced precision craftsmanship with adaptable prototyping to yield a fully integrated, tactile prototype.
UI Tablet Design
