THE INTUITIVE JACKET AUGMENTED HUMANS POSTER

<p>An ambitious interdisciplinary research project is developing between the faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Connected Experiences Lab (CXL), Fashion and Experimental Electronics, at Northumbria University.</p> <p>The exploratory research investigates a gap in wearable technology, with application and implementation in mental healthcare - proposing a prototype called: The Intuitive Jacket.</p> <p>The initial concept was based on recent work of interdisciplinary researcher, Tor Alexander Bruce. This involves the human-centered design and prototyping of a digital therapeutic intervention called: The Timeline, situated in a multisensory immersive interactive environment, within the university’s clinical skills facility.</p> <p>This study was trialed in a UK-based NHS hospital, involving recruited participants as Experts by Experience of trauma. Published findings were presented in Japan, Sweden and Denmark.</p> <p>Up until now, participants visiting the immersive space had opportunity to close down a virtual door representing a metaphorical deep past (in a trauma mental healthcare context) by touching the interactive wall with their hand, i.e. the room contains 270 degree wraparound, simulation walls.</p> <p>Expanding on this was an idea that instead of a participant touching the wall, they could incorporate their own body as coupled to the interface, offering a more personalized, embodied approach with significance in a trauma context. Here, The Intuitive Jacket has potential to offer a unique level of autonomy towards recovery.</p>