In recent years, businesses have begun offering digital afterlife services, using AI to create deep-faked videos and chatbots based on the data of deceased individuals. While these solutions claim to preserve a person’s essence, they raise significant ethical and psychological concerns.
With these challenges in mind, we created EchoUs - a solution designed to offer a more personal, ethical, consentual and lasting digital afterlife experience.
Proposal
The Project EchoUs is about exploring the connection between AI, robotics, and immortality. Is it possible to authentically represent a deceased person using large language models?
EchoUs was created in a team of four as part of a four week module at Zhdk Interaction Design 2024, in Collaboration with the Bits and Bolts Festival Zurich.
Softwares Used: VS Code, Onshape, Figma, Arduino, Bamboolab
Design Process
As we explored different approaches to the digital afterlife, we realized the challenge of relying only on limited, posthumous data based on digital traces. Our goal was to capture a person’s essence as holistic as possible. Searching for a fitting shape, we chose an organic form that subtly resembles a telephone, reinforcing the affordance of connection and communication with loved ones.
Functionality
Additionally, the data storage device is complemented by an accessory featuring built-in microphones, which record a person’s voice throughout their lifetime. If the individual passes away, the top part of the accessory is placed into the data storage unit, where the recorded information can be accessed and processed. After this integration, users can communicate through the top part of the data storage unit.
Construction
The object was constructed using building foam, cut with a CNC machine, and hand-sanded for refinement. The accessories were also handcrafted with the help of a lathe machine. For interaction, we embedded a microphone inside the top part, which is connected to a computer, as well as an Arduino, which in turn controls an LED strip and a display. The personalities were created by integrating Node.js and the OpenAI API, allowing us to train a ChatGPT model with different personality traits.
Solution
EchoUs introduces an interactive data storage that comes with a wearable device that passively records and collects spoken words, conversations, music, and even personal reflections. The wearable device, designed as a subtle, aesthetically pleasing accessory continuously gathers real-life information while prioritizing privacy and consent. Upon passing away, the accessory is placed into the data storage, allowing loved ones to engage with an AI-powered recreation of the deceased. Conversations and personal data remain private and are not processed until the person chooses to activate the afterlife function.
By integrating a long-term, unfiltered and real-life data collection, EchoUs ensures that the essence of a person is captured authentically, preserving their voice, thoughts, and emotions for those they leave behind.
© 2025 Elena Fabrikant. All rights reserved.