Beibamboo – Protopaja ELEC-D0301

INTRODUCTION

Our group worked with Beibamboo Oy, a company designing and selling kids’ clothing and accessories especially developed for premature babies. Our task was to create a totally new and smart piece of clothing or equipment or alternatively integrate smart technique to some of the company’s existing product.

Working with the product started by doing research and meeting with the company. Product’s and project’s initial guidelines were agreed together with the company’s representative – the aim of the project was to create a smart piece of clothing or accessory that would have the ability to measure the kid’s vital functions.

After meeting with the company the group made a project plan and did research on similar smart products targeted for kids. After surveying the markets the product was ideated both independently and in the group and from the emerging ideas the three most developable ideas were presented to the company. From these three ideas both the company and the group saw most potential in the bracelet.

The bracelet executed during the course is meant to be used mostly during sleep. It aims to help the parents feel more relaxed and prevent the kid from waking up when the vitals need to be monitored. The bracelet has a variety of different functions which are reported to a smartphone application.

The bracelet measures the kid’s body temperature, pulse and oxygen saturation and reports and if necessary alarms these functions to an application the parent can download on their smartphone. By measuring breathing and heart rate one can minimize SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) that is a risk especially for infants. SIDS is commonly connected with sudden and unexplained discontinuation of breathing.

By measuring body temperature one is able to monitor especially the temperature of a sick child but also the effects of the surrounding circumstances to the body temperature. By monitoring the child’s temperature one is also able to predict febrile seizures with kids with a higher risk for them. One sensor is for monitoring both pulse and oxygen saturation and one sensor for monitoring the body temperature.

In addition to measuring features, with an accelerometer and a microphone, the bracelet reacts to movement and sounds of a waking child when it is happening. When the movement or sound is strong enough, the bracelet starts to play an audio making the waking up more relaxed or to entertain the child. The audio can be controlled with a smartphone application.

FUNCTIONS

Temperature meter:

The bracelet regularly measures the kid’s body temperature. With monitoring the kid’s temperature it is easier to observe not only the effects of the surrounding circumstances but also monitor the temperature of a sick child. Observing this is crucial especially when the kid has a tendency for febrile seizures.

Pulse oximeter:

The bracelet regularly measures the kid’s pulse. Observing the pulse gives a peace of mind to the parent when they know that everything is okay.

Blood oxygen saturation:

The bracelet regularly measures the kid’s breathing. By observing the breathing the parents are able to minimize the cases of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) that is a risk especially for infants. SIDS is commonly connected with sudden and unexplained discontinue of breathing.

Accelerometer and sound system:

The bracelet reacts to a certain level of movement and sound. It detects when the kid is waking up and automatically starts to play an audio to soothe the kid. The audio can be controlled through the application.

DESIGN

The design is simple and playful. The bracelet is designed to be soft-looking and baby friendly and it works as a bedtime toy. It has chewable ears with little bumps, which stimulate the kid’s itching gums and tactical sense. All necessary holes are placed in the back of the bracelet. There are no loose or sharp parts in the design and it has a wide range for adjusting the bracelet for kids different ages.

APPLICATION

The bracelet and its functions can be controllable through a smartphone application. With the application the parent can monitor the kid’s vitals and gets an alert if something is wrong. Through the application the parent can also change the audio. When testing the bracelet the team used a ready-made application, but below is a visualization of a possible smartphone application: