FINAL PROJECT

DESCRIPTION OF FINAL PROJECT

As final project I decided to build a wearable design to helps children with Autism in human interaction. For us it’s easy to have interaction: hugs, caresses, touch are natural but not for people with autism disorder. For my bachelor degree thesis I’ll develop some usage scenarios in which this technology could help, so I decided to work on the same project.

CONCEPT

Essentially I’m thinking about developing two interactive T-shirts that can communicate each other. When I touch an arm, a vibration motor buzz on the second T-shirt. I've decided to use vibration motors because vibrating I can feel a plesant output. With autistic childreen we don't know which is the reaction with the lights.



To do it, I think I will need:

• T-Shirts (obviusly)
• Coin vibration motors
• Bluetooth module (to connect t-shirts)
• Pressure sensor

Probably this isn't the final list. I'm sure that probably I will need of something else. I am undecided between pressure or light sensor. I think that I will make a decision after some test.

STATE OF ART

I've been looking on internet about similar devices or for some devices thinking for autistic people. I've found this technologies created for them:

Awake Labs developed a device called Reveal. It is a wearable for autism that measures and tracks anxiety to help you better understand behaviour and prevent meltdowns. It is a kind of bracelet who use a sensor to track physiological signal.

Another interesting device is HugShirt. It isn't a specific device for autistic people, but it is for everyone. Take a look on their page for more information. I wanted to include it because I think that it is a very nice technology from take example.

A similar device as HugShirt is TJacket. Using air pressure to simulate hugs which provide Deep Touch Pressure, Tjacket comforts and soothes nerves in times of stress and anxiety. It is thinking for autistic childreen.

Beagle Scarf is a device concept by a student of Vancouver’s Emily Charr Institute. He created this scarf who integrates sound, smell, and texture, making it a wearable and portable medical assistance device for Autistic children who suffer from a sensory disorder where they sometimes need to be blocked or stimulated from certain senses to feel relieved.

Last device that I have found, is Plush me. It is a pillow who respond to touch. Is thinking for childreen with autism.

At the end I think that all this project are useful and interesting, but the last one is the one who have the most commons characteristics with my idea.