Helen Hamlyn Research Centre

Centre for Inclusive Design

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DBA Design Challenge 2003

Saving Lives - Buddy, the 'Active' Companion / The Team

An estimated one in seven people in the UK have a hearing impairment and nearly 700,000 are profoundly deaf. As our population ages, these numbers will increase, although not everyone will wear a hearing aid. All, however, will need to be aware of and enabled to deal with life-threatening events.

The Team has designed a 'wearable' mobile device based on simple, readily available technology that will to help the wearer to distinguish between different types of alerts, allowing informed decisions and action to be taken.

Some User Issues

Inability to hear alarm or alert
No differentiation possible between them
Inability to understand direction and source of sound
Feelings of vulnerability through inability to sense danger.

How Does it Work?

Wearable device clips into holding structure of choice
Device can be worn on wrist or as pendant or badge
Device vibrates when alarm sounds
Visual symbols appear to differentiate type of alarm or alert
Possible inclusion of inaudible travel information from tannoy systems etc.
Simple, existing, usable technology.

2003 home

factory wares
eye speak
digital wayfinding
life circle
ello
buddy

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