Financial warning sense by tactile feedback

We have trouble controlling our consumer impulses, and there's a gap between our decision and the consequences. This is magnified by the digitization of money. When we pull a product off the shelf, do we know what our bank account balance is, or whether we're over budget for the month? Our existing senses are inadequate to warn us.

The Proverbial Wallet gives a financial warning sense at the point of purchase by un-abstracting virtual assets. Tactile feedback reflecting our personal balances and transactions helps us develop a subconscious financial sense that guides responsible decisions. In addition to providing a visceral connection to our virtual money, tactile output keeps personal information private and ambient.

The Proverbial Wallets are working prototypes, tough enough to sit on. They communicate with a cellphone through Bluetooth, using its data connection to get financial information from the user's bank accounts.

Source: http://eco.media.mit.edu/static/proverbialwallets/index.html