This smart garment can monitor, control stress

Ajman - The duo have been awarded the top prize at Gitex Future Starts for their product.

A smart garment that can determine the wearer's stress level has been developed by two lecturers of the Ajman University.
Named Sensewear, the garment can trigger the functions of clothes and accessories that are designed to help understand and better control overwhelming situations and emotions.
Developed by Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati - lecturers in the Department of Interior Design, College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ajman University (AU) - the
innovation could be very useful for people with autism.
"Through a comfortable, wearable and customisable tech solution embedding textile sensors, we will be able to constantly monitor selected physiological parameters revealing a stressful condition," Corti said.
The duo have been awarded the top prize at Gitex Future Starts for their product.
They were inspired by the senses and therapies applied to sensory processing disorders (SPD), a common condition in autism where "the natural interface to the outside world is often impaired, preventing a regular interaction with people and the environment".
"Autistic children bear a load of emotions, but often find it difficult to control them and to make them understandable for the people who care about them," Corti added.
However, anxiety, stress and panic attack - some of the symptoms of autism - proved to be affecting a variety of people without disabilities, the duo found.
"We realised that garments can have a positive impact on a bigger audience," Corti said.
The Sensewear collection of inclusive garments can be worn by anyone.
"Technology is hidden in order to increase the level of acceptance and the psychological comfort of the wearer," Corti explained.
How it works
The smart garment is composed of a sensing unit, a smart T-shirt, textile sensors connected to an electronic device and satellite garments that embed the therapeutic functionalities, she said.
"Unobtrusive measurement of physiological parameters will give an indication of the stress level of the individual in real-time, alarming guardians and therapists in case of detected emergency," she said.
Sensewear can also give an instant assessment of the benefits brought about by various therapies.
"A mobile application will help visualise the wearer's condition whenever he or she is facing different situations and record all data and progress with the scope of monitoring the wearer."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ajman