Adiona
Empowering Safe Travels for Women
Adiona, named after the Roman goddess of safe travels, is a revolutionary smart jewellery set designed to serve as a discreet way-finding tool and a reliable safety device.
Project Background:
Our design challenge was to design a post-pocket computer experience in a problem area the team was interested in exploring. The project was developed over five days during the Wearable Design class with Aakash Dewan (India), Herin Haramoto (Japan), and Omar Razo (US).
Design Opportunity
The rising number of solo female travelers has brought attention to a concerning increase in violent crimes against them, notably in Latin America with alarming femicide rates. This grim reality highlights the vulnerability of women traveling alone. Compounding the issue, the region faces a 95% impunity rate for crimes against women, exacerbating the lack of justice.
Moreover, freezing in perilous situations, limited internet access, and poor signal coverage hinder victims' ability to seek help. To enhance the travel experience for solo female travelers, there's a crucial need for innovative solutions addressing safety concerns and empowering them beyond reliance on smartphones.
Concept
Adiona is dedicated to addressing travel safety concerns in Latin America by focusing on three key areas:
Phone-Free Exploration Experience
To encourage users to explore their surroundings without relying on their phones, Adiona offers a discreet bracelet that serves as a wayfinding tool.
When users approach underlit neighbourhoods or areas with a high crime rate, the bracelet discreetly alerts them through haptic feedback. Additionally, it features a built-in projector that suggests alternative routes to ensure users can navigate safely.
Reducing Cognitive Load
In the event of a distress situation, Adiona offers a brooch/pendant that serves as a safety device. It emits a strong, bright light, causing temporary blindness, and includes a recording device. Simultaneously, the bracelet sends a distress signal to authorities, emergency contacts, and the user's GPS location. To minimise cognitive load during such stressful moments, the SOS activation is triggered by an instinctive physical gesture—a clenched fist—coupled with monitoring baseline physiological markers. To combat the high impunity rate in Latin America, the device also features a camera that enables users to capture evidence, validating their reports as memory loss is often associated with traumatic experiences.
Offline Information Sharing
Recognising the limited internet access in many areas of the region, Adiona operates without relying on internet data or Wi-Fi. Each device set is interconnected within a network, forming a dynamic mesh network that allows for offline information sharing. This system enables users to access and exchange vital information, even in areas with restricted internet connectivity.
Overall, Adiona offers a comprehensive solution to travel safety concerns in Latin America. By providing a phone-free exploration experience, reducing cognitive load during distress situations, and establishing an offline information-sharing system, Adiona aims to enhance the safety and well-being of travelers in the region.
