An innovative device developed to help those overcoming sexual assault has been recognised with the Joseph Stannah Award at New Designers 2018.
Ally, by third year BSc Product Design student Josh King, scooped the award after impressing judges with its well-considered design and ‘excellent use of prototyping and visualisation.’ Josh will now receive £1000 to support the development of his career, and a six-week paid placement at Stannah’s design office.
New Designers, held at London's Business Design Centre, is an annual showcase of the best new talent graduating from British universities.
“It’s a great honour to receive this award,” said Josh, 22, from Woking. “Given that only the top 11 students from our year were selected to exhibit at New Designers, that in itself was exciting for me.
“So, to win an award and be recognised nationally is a real privilege.”
Worn on the wrist, bra strap or waistband, Ally uses EDA – electrodermal activity – sensors to monitor the wellbeing of those overcoming sexual assault. By linking to a specially developed mobile app, the device allows counsellors and loved ones to monitor the wearer's progress and identify when they might require assistance.
"If the EDA sensors are showing that someone’s particularly stressed or showing signs of anxiety, their counsellor can give them a quick call or contact them directly through the app and say, ‘the sensors are showing you’re not looking too good at the moment, let me know if you’d like to talk,’” said Josh.
Having developed the product so far with generous support from Ruislip St Martins Freemasons, Josh now hopes to begin commercialising the product.
Founded in 1867 in London, Stannah are best known nowadays for their eponymous and world-leading Stannah Stairlift. The firm operates in over 40 countries worldwide.
For more about Design at Brunel, please visit https://www.brunel.ac.uk/design
Reported by:
Tim Pilgrim,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268965
tim.pilgrim@brunel.ac.uk