Cindy Kao from the College of Human Ecology along with a director at Hybrid Body Lab designed the KnitDema, which is a robot textile that is a personal wearable massage device. Hand edema is a collection of fluids under the hand, which causes inflammation and swelling.
One of the ways to combat this is to perform MEM, manual edema massage -- however, this may not always be accessible. The KnitDema aims to relieve this without depending on a trained professional. KnitDema is made from a robotic material that appears to be stretch yarn at a glance but has pockets that hold the actuators to control movement. It features memory alloy springs woven into the fabric and can be applied over a single finger.
Image Credit: Hybrid Body Lab
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Robotic Textiles
- Developing textiles made from robotic materials creates endless possibilities to combine creativity with technology.
- Wearable Health Devices
- As wearable technology continues to develop, more opportunities to create health and wellness devices are emerging.
- Personalized Massage Devices
- Personalized massage devices present an opportunity for individuals to access relief from physical ailments without relying on trained professionals.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry has an opportunity to incorporate wearable technology into treatment and preventative care plans.
- Fashion
- The fashion industry can integrate functional technology into garments to create innovative and personalized products.
- Sports
- The sports industry can incorporate wearable health devices to help athletes prevent and manage injuries and optimize physical performance.
