The Emergency Blazer is a functional model that was constructed as a feasibility study for a textile that could be used to trigger an alarm in case of medical emergencies. While earlier versions of the emergency wearable were knit, the new version is a tailored blazer where the electric connections are integrated into the lining. The two pocket flaps on the front have a conductive cover, and there are narrow stripes from conductive fabric on top of the flaps. Pressing both flaps firmly up and onto the blazer front activates the alarm. This is to avoid that the alarm can accidentally triggered.
The electronics are hosted in the left pocket of the jacket and contain a micro controller, power supply, and a bluetooth model for connection to a mobile phone. The blazer has furthermore an inner pocket from conductive fabric that also can activate an alarm by putting a hand into it for at least three seconds. A third pocket from non-conductive fabric serves to host the mobile device. The battery can be easily removed, as it uses an inductive coil for power transfer. So far the Emergency Blazer works with a custom Android application that allows the user to pick a favorite contact from their address book on the phone and to manage the bluetooth connection.
Design Research Lab Berlin
Project Supervised by Dr. Katharina Bredies
// photos: Design Research Lab