Pneu-tex
Health & Wellbeing / Human-centered Design / Material Exploration
Pneu-tex
When was the last time you fell? From tripping on the curb or slipping on an icy sidewalk? Pneu-tex integrates safety into apparel and discreetly protects those prone to injury from falls. Within milliseconds of detection, the smart jacket inflates to cushion the impact, preventing injuries.
By merging performance with lifestyle, Pneu-tex aims to remove the stigma of fall protection products by creating something accessible and appealing to all people and ages.
Falls
In the UK, falls are the most common cause of injury and related deaths in ages over 75. Beyond a bruise and bone fracture, falls can result in a loss of independence and confidence. Mentally, a constant worry that they might fall again. With an increasingly aging population and trends of living alone, how can wearable technology enable our independence?
Advancements in personal fall protection products that are not immediately redolent of decrepitude and dependency are ever so imperative.
Vulnerability
While anyone is at risk of falling, vulnerability is not only determined by age, but also by ones condition. Apart from elders, people with balance impairments are equally at risk from a fall.
Statically, 1 in 3 adults over 65 will have at least one fall a year. Balance impairments range from drowsiness as a side effect of drugs, unsteadiness from joint pain, vertigo from migraines, to life long conditions like MS.
The most vulnerable areas when falling are the hips, pelvis, and lower back. Sideway falls are the main cause of hip fractures, contributing to around 85% of fall-related fractures.
Existing Products
From exercise therapy to walking canes, there is a range of products and services on the market. This includes a series of hip protection devices. However, their bulkiness and appearance make them some of the least desirable products. Protection should not compromise aesthetics.
In contribution to existing work, Pneu-tex applies human-centred design principles to personal fall protection.
Design
Inspired by athleisure and utilitarian fashion trends, the apparel can be worn as a standalone jacket or integrated as a lining for clothes.
The seam creates a dynamic detail, integrating the inflatable hips, arms, and lower back portions. It transforms from a flat surface to a geometrically intricate pattern. The jacket is made from a TPU coated Nylon, a marine textile that is durable, easily maintained, and waterproof.
Testing
Due to the lack of access to testing facilities, most observations have remained qualitative.
Inflation is effective in dissipating the force of impact. A study comparing commercial foam and inflatable hip protection showed that inflatables can reduce peak impact forces by up to 85%, to about 1000N, below the proposed hip fracture threshold of 2100N.
Inflation Module
The jacket is inflated by a standard 16g compressed CO2 cartridge, replaced after each activation. A tri-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, and threshold algorithm are used to detect falls.
The inflation and detection mechanisms are housed in a removable unit, located below the neckline. This location is optimal for fall detection and is the least disruptive to the wearer.
With development, Pneu-tex can extend to protect cyclist and more extreme, athletes. Products designed for fall protection should not embarrass the wearer. It should empower one to stay active and confident. Pneu-tex is functional and appealing, ensuring your safety with discretion.
Material Explorations
A large part of my design process was on material exploration, iterating and learning through making physical prototypes. I was inspired by soft-rigid hybrid systems, a branch of soft robotics, which focuses on how we can reinforce systems by modifying its geometry.
Materials explored range from Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), Foam, Nylon and composites of each material.
