Journal of Student Research 2019

Journal of Student Research

Wearable Technology and Its Benefits in Urban Settings Wearable Technology and Its Benefits in Urban Settings

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Vong Hang 1 Senior, Industrial Design

Advisor: Jennifer Astwood Program Director of Industrial Design

Abstract The harmful effects of frequent and prolonged exposure to airborne

contaminants is both a common problem and an unfortunate reality for millions of commuters in urban environments around the world. Along with a thorough review of existing solutions that offer protection from air pollutants and how commuters currently navigate this issue, this study will assist in the process of designing a wearable device that proactively alerts the user and shields them from possible contamination. Such a device will operate through utilization of a functionally intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), various instruments, sensors, and software. Initial interviews and observations were conducted in dense urban locales, encompassing a diverse sample size of pedestrians who travel frequently and may be regularly exposed to potentially hazardous pollutants. Through both casual observation and direct conversation, these interactions ascertained which devices commuters routinely brought with them while traveling, along with their personal knowledge and perspective on the current means of protection from common contaminants. As the researcher, understanding certain categories and sources of various pollutants will also assist in providing the most secure and effective defense via wearable technology traversing urban environments.

Keywords: Wearable, device, technology, urban, pollution

Wearable Technology and its Benefits in Urban Settings Air pollution caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016,

according to the World Health Organization (2018). There have been many studies conducted on how pollution in urban areas is affecting the health of commuters around the world, such as Zuurbier’s et al. (2010) study on commuters’ exposure to particle matter (PM) based on modes of transportation. As urban areas are typically heavily populated, this study will primarily focus on the average commuter’s normal,

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Vong Hang is a McNair Scholar (Ed.).

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Table of Contents