Nottingham Trent University
A team led by Theo Hughes-Riley at Nottingham Trent University has created a vibrating smart pillow sleeve prototype to alert deaf users to fire and burglar alarms. This is not the first alert technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The new device replaces older, bulky technologies that users had to place beneath their pillows, which often disrupted comfortable and restful sleep.
Smarter Safety for Deaf Sleepers
“This design is a major step forward in inclusive emergency alerts, helping deaf and deafblind people sleep more safely and comfortably,” said Theo Hughes-Riley. “The deaf community fully shaped it through feedback on real-world challenges and how electronic textiles could help address them.”
The slim textile sleeve features four small haptic actuators measuring 3.4 × 12.7 mm, enclosed within a soft, yarn-like fabric layer. It has also undergone extensive durability testing, including repeated washing cycles.
Nottingham Trent University
PhD researcher Malindu Ehelagasthenna said the electronics woven into the sleeve are so small users cannot feel them. However, when an alarm goes off, they produce strong vibrations that can wake even very deep sleepers.
Smart Pillow Sleeve Connects to Phones and Differentiates Alerts
The sleeve fits over a standard pillow inside a pillowcase, with sensors placed underneath. It connects to a smartphone through a microcontroller that can wirelessly interface with home alarm systems. The system can program different vibration patterns to signal events such as fire alarms, burglar alarms, or phone calls.
This is not the first alert technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. New Atlas previously covered SoundWatch, a smartwatch that detects sounds and alerts users via vibrations and visuals. The device could potentially complement the vibrating pillow sleeve by assisting users during the day.
The research team is continuing to improve the sleeve prototype and is currently seeking a manufacturing partner to help commercialize the technology.
Read the original article on: newatlas
Read more:This robot is designed to act as your compact AI chess partner—or coach