Greater Than Two is an interactive installation that explores the resilience of human connections across distance and time. Inspired by binary star systems—where two stars remain gravitationally bound despite vast distances—the piece reflects on how relationships can adapt, stretch, and evolve while remaining intact.

Two handheld devices, tracked in real time using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, control the movement of two visual entities projected onto a screen. As participants move the devices, the entities respond, maintaining a flowing, uninterrupted connection of particles and light. 

The installation relies on UWB technology, a radio-based communication method known for its precise localization capabilities. UWB allows the handheld devices to calculate their positions in three-dimensional space with remarkable accuracy, ensuring the connection between the two entities remains intact no matter how participants move.

The system is powered by ESP32 microcontrollers equipped with UWB modules. The devices exchange signals to calculate their relative positions, with data processed using Arduino and C++. This data is sent to TouchDesigner, where the visuals are generated in real time.

Greater Than Two was exhibited at MIT’s Reality Hack in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where participants interacted with the installation. I also gave a talk at DATLABNYC, explaining the technology behind the piece and its creative potential. You can watch the full talk below:

The idea for Greater Than Two emerged from my reflections on long-distance relationships and the role of technology in sustaining them. After moving from Chile to New York, I experienced how certain connections could endure despite physical separation, adapting to new forms of communication like text messages and video calls.