I propose creating a pneumatic bracelet that can alert people based on certain settings (which can be set in a mobile app). We know that people can receive a lot of information through ambient noise and passive channels. The pneumatic alert bracelet/wristband would build off of that idea to alert people about a situation gradually as its severity increases.
For example, it could be used as a baby monitor for a deaf person. Typical baby monitors relay the sounds of a baby, and often use a light to indicate that sound is coming out of the monitor. But this sound could be the baby cooing, talking, softly crying, or crying loudly, and a deaf parent would not know. The bracelet could connect to the person’s smartphone via Bluetooth, which runs an app that monitors the decibel level of sounds in the phone’s microphone. The bracelet would react, inflating somewhat for a soft cry, and gradually growing tighter as the baby’s cries turn to screams. The parent would then know to go check on the child. This could be extended to alert a deaf person of any loud noise in their home, such as children fighting, something falling and crashing, etc.
Sketches:
As another example, this could be used by diabetic patients to monitor their glucose and insulin levels (only the app contents would need to change). As the insulin in their blood decreases, the bracelet could gradually inflate. When it dips below certain level (set by the user), the bracelet could reach its maximum inflatable capacity, which would be tight and uncomfortable on the user’s wrist, alerting them to test their blood and inject insulin.
Aubrey Colter
ajcolter@mit.edu