reSkin, Wearable Technology Lab, ANU

The ‘Embracelet’ is a concept hand bracelet designed to build hand grip strength for patients recovering from Traumatic Brain Injury (ABI). Many people with injuries affecting the neuromuscular system require physical therapy within the scope of their rehabilitation. The ability to enhance the rehabilitative process following cerebral injury is one of the great challenges for therapists.

The prototype wearable is a ‘soft’ graspable device that provides tactility and visual aesthetic feedback based on grip strength. The strength of the patients grip corresponds to the number of lights activated on the bracelet. The aim of the device is to provide a tangible (and psychological) bridge between therapeutic and daily environments to stimulate the recovering patient. Its aesthetic aims to challenges the unhelpful assumptions and stereotypes that surround clinical environments and the recovery process per se.

Embracelet was developed at the Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) reSkin workshop hosted by the Australian National University School of Art, the Centre for New Media Arts (CNMA) in association with Craft Australia.

The multi-disciplinary workshop facilitated international artists from media arts, sound design, textiles, weaving, jewellery, object and fashion design to explore the production of wearable technology. The manufacture of Embracelet was supported by fellow reSkin artist Catherine Truman. Electro Luminescent Flat Light material was supplied by Nanotechnology Victoria.

For more information:

http://www.anat.org.au/reskin/index.html

This project was supported by:

ANAT

RMIT University

Australia Council for the Arts

Nanotechnology Victoria