THE INTUITIVE JACKET AUGMENTED HUMANS POSTER

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.

The exploratory research investigates a gap in wearable technology, with application and implementation in mental healthcare - proposing a prototype called: The Intuitive Jacket.

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.

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.

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.

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.