A Smart Bracelet That Keeps You Safe

Photo credit: Dan Doan

This year at the annual design expo at Microsoft’s Research Faculty Summit, six students from the University of Washington presented a non-working prototype bracelet called Vive. The bracelet is designed to appeal to young people, keeping them safe and connected while out partying.

So, how does it work?

It’s Friday night, and you and some girlfriends are ready to go out after a rough week of finals. To celebrate, your friend scored some concert tickets to see your favorite band. As you enter the concert, you hand over your ticket and in return you are given a Vive smart bracelet. You and your friends each populate your bands to your Facebook profiles and then sync up with each other to form your “party” group.

While watching the show, you all have a few (or more) drinks. You end up getting separated. Your Vive bracelet vibrates throughout the night to check in on you, and you squeeze the band in response to let it know everything is good. However, if you do not respond to the vibration, everyone within your “party” is alerted. They are then able to locate you to make sure that you’re okay.

Photo credit: Dan Doan

The Vive smart bracelet contains sensors that detect your alcohol level and dehydration. It also has a gyroscope and accelerometer, which detects a lack of motion, and a GPS to help find the location of friends in need. It also is designed to build into your existing social network. Say while at the concert you meet some new friends: You simply tap bracelets together and a friend request is sent to each of you through Facebook. You can then later revisit the connections and decide who to approve and who not to approve.

The bracelet is still a prototype, but the creators hope to enter the market by using these at clubs and venues, and then eventually hope it will be a party accessory that you don’t leave home without.