Evan Kelly's Invisible Network: A Social Network for Machines

Artist Evan Kelly has created Invisible Network, a mobile device that makes machine-to-machine communication tangible. The project includes a physical device called the Wibot, a web platform, and a print edition. The Wibot, an open-source portable object with an e-paper screen, autonomously interacts with nearby Wi-Fi networks, displaying information usually inaccessible to users. It uses colloquial language to describe interactions, such as a "handshake" for first encounters, and can express boredom or talkativeness. The web platform visualizes the device's contacts as followers, classifying relationships by data traffic intensity as "acquaintances," "friends," "close friends," or "best friends." Each network generates a profile image based on geolocation, name, and signal strength. An interactive map shows real-time encounters, and a timeline displays communication intensity. The print edition records data logged by the Wibot. Invisible Network recently received a special mention at the annual awards of ECAL – École Cantonale d'Art de Lausanne. The project aims to raise awareness about the invisible digital ecosystem and the coexistence of humans and machines in the age of social networks, video chats, e-commerce, and online learning.