Degaussed North

Prelude

In today’s information society, human relationships are rooted in interconnectivity. Our environments are permeated by magnetic and electromagnetic fields, making it increasingly difficult to find places where one can be or feel unreachable. What if, instead of seeking strong connection, we’d began craving solitude? What tools would we need and how could we use them?

Design

Degaussed North is a GPS digital compass that reimagines the concept of the cardinal point. Instead of guiding users along a predetermined route, this compass leads them to degaussed locations—places where electromagnetic interference is minimal. Designed to guide future explorers to the digital era’s neglected areas, Degaussed North seeks out both natural and man-made spaces that remain untouched or barely influenced by electromagnetic waves. Functioning as a talisman for safe travel, the compass’s North shifts according to the explorer’s movement and the influence of surrounding electromagnetic fields, steering them along “clean” paths toward safe destinations. Housed within a polycarbonate frame, the device integrates sensors, modules, and other electronic components that detect electromagnetic fields and calculate GPS positions, all controlled by a microcontroller. A circular LED module with individually controllable LEDs provides visual guidance, illuminating the compass display in specific patterns and colors to indicate the direction to follow. As the explorer moves, continuously monitored data ensures that their path is shaped by ever-changing and unpredictable factors, such as environmental disturbances or unexpected obstacles. This embraces the concept of a journey that dynamically evolves, reflecting the complexity and fluidity of the modern world.