The recent years have been characterized by a continuous research and innovation in the fields of design and technology. Nevertheless, little focus was given to individuals affected by disability. The so called Assistive Technologies (AT) are tools designed to help such people to be as much autonomous as possible. With regard to motor impairments, the loss of motor function can significantly affect a person’s quality of life leading the individual to partial or complete dependence on others. The purpose of this thesis is the development of a first prototype of LoveWear, a smart wearable designed specifically for people with physical disabilities. LoveWear is a cognitive and educational tool that offers to some specific categories the opportunity to self-explore their body autonomously. The present work analyses three particular diagnoses of motor impairment: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Spinal Cord Injury and Muscular Dystrophy. Through a statistical study based on quantitative and qualitative analysis it has been possible to accurately think about the design of the first prototype. The final product, specifically designed for women, is composed of two different parts: the underwear and the pillow. Inside the underwear, inflatable pockets with different patterns are present, designed for the stimulation of body erogenous zones. The study of the materials was carried out in the laboratories of Berlin, Milan and Switzerland. The tests were based both on the fabrics for the production of inflatable pockets and on the fabrics of the underwear that are expected to go directly in contact to the user’s skin. Although further developments are clearly necessary to have a good product ready for the market, the first prototype shows good results and the research is still in progress.
Gli ultimi anni sono stati caratterizzati da una continua ricerca e innovazione nel campo del design e della tecnologia. Tuttavia, poca attenzione è stata data alle persone affette da disabilità. Le cosiddette Tecnologie Assistive (AT) sono strumenti progettati per aiutare tali persone ad essere il più autonome possibile. Per quanto riguarda in particolar modo le disabilità di tipo motorio, la perdita della funzione motoria può influire significativamente sulla qualità della vita di una persona, portando l’individuo ad una parziale o completa dipendenza dagli altri. Lo scopo di questa tesi è lo sviluppo di un primo prototipo di LoveWear, un wearable intelligente progettato appositamente per le persone affette da disabilità fisiche. LoveWear è uno strumento cognitivo ed educativo che offre ad alcune specifiche categorie l’opportunità di auto-esplorare il proprio corpo in modo autonomo. Il presente lavoro analizza tre diagnosi particolari di disabilità motoria: atrofia muscolare spinale, lesione del midollo spinale e distrofia muscolare. Attraverso uno studio statistico basato su analisi quantitative e qualitative è stato possibile studiare in modo accurato il design del primo prototipo. Il prodotto finale, specificatamente studiato per le donne, è composto da due parti differenti: l’underwear e il cuscino. All’interno dell’underwear sono presenti camerette gonfiabili con diverso pattern, pensate per la stimolazione delle zone erogene del corpo. Lo studio dei materiali è stato condotto nei laboratori di Berlino, Milano e della Svizzera. I test si sono basati sia sui tessuti per la produzione delle camerette gonfiabili sia sui tessuti dell’underwear che avranno un contatto diretto con la pelle dell’utente. Sebbene siano chiaramente necessari ulteriori studi e sviluppi prima di avere un prodotto pronto per il mercato, il primo prototipo mostra buoni risultati e la ricerca è ancora in corso.
LoveWear. An assistive technology designed for people affected by motor impairments
Serra, Valeria
2019/2020
Abstract
The recent years have been characterized by a continuous research and innovation in the fields of design and technology. Nevertheless, little focus was given to individuals affected by disability. The so called Assistive Technologies (AT) are tools designed to help such people to be as much autonomous as possible. With regard to motor impairments, the loss of motor function can significantly affect a person’s quality of life leading the individual to partial or complete dependence on others. The purpose of this thesis is the development of a first prototype of LoveWear, a smart wearable designed specifically for people with physical disabilities. LoveWear is a cognitive and educational tool that offers to some specific categories the opportunity to self-explore their body autonomously. The present work analyses three particular diagnoses of motor impairment: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Spinal Cord Injury and Muscular Dystrophy. Through a statistical study based on quantitative and qualitative analysis it has been possible to accurately think about the design of the first prototype. The final product, specifically designed for women, is composed of two different parts: the underwear and the pillow. Inside the underwear, inflatable pockets with different patterns are present, designed for the stimulation of body erogenous zones. The study of the materials was carried out in the laboratories of Berlin, Milan and Switzerland. The tests were based both on the fabrics for the production of inflatable pockets and on the fabrics of the underwear that are expected to go directly in contact to the user’s skin. Although further developments are clearly necessary to have a good product ready for the market, the first prototype shows good results and the research is still in progress.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/169127