NavSense: Health Wearable Technology

overview

In 2021, I participated in a design studio led by Jenny Kinrad from MIT. The project focused on identifying global challenges that impact quality of life and translating abstract problems into tangible, human-centered solutions through research, prototyping, and iteration.

problem framing

The studio began with a broad systems-thinking exercise: identifying ten major global challenges that affect people’s everyday lives. From these, I shortlisted three issues that resonated most with me and explored how design and technology could meaningfully support individuals navigating them.

Through this process, I became particularly interested in challenges faced by differently-abled individuals—specifically how assistive products can enhance ability without drawing attention or disrupting daily routines.

research and inspiration

To ground our ideas technically, we spent several days learning the fundamentals of Arduino and breadboarding, working hands-on with basic circuitry, lights, and wiring. In parallel, we analyzed existing health and wearable technologies.

One wearable stood out as a key inspiration: its minimalist design enhanced the user’s abilities while remaining discreet and non-intrusive. This approach shaped my core design principle, assistive technology should support users quietly, without redefining their identity or interrupting their everyday activities.

Ideation & Storyboarding

Using sketches and storyboards, I explored how a wearable device could function naturally within real-life scenarios. The focus was on:

• Ease of wear

• Minimal physical and visual intrusion

• Seamless integration into daily movement

Storyboarding helped test these ideas early, allowing me to evaluate usability and context before moving into physical making.

Prototyping & Iteration

I developed three successive prototypes, each iteration building on feedback from peers and instructors.

• Prototype 1: Focused on bare form

• Prototype 2: Added placement for certain elements

• Prototype 3: Made it usable with a coded microcontroller

  

final product and feedback

The final prototype was presented to a panel of judges for critique. The feedback highlighted several strengths:

• The wearable was described as fitting “like a cuff,” making it easy to wear and carry

• It successfully functioned without interfering with the user’s hearing

• The design felt practical and grounded in real use cases

Constructive feedback focused on scale, the device, while compact, was still perceived as somewhat bulky. Judges suggested that future iterations could further reduce size as technology and components evolve.

key learnings

This project reinforced several foundational design lessons:

• The value of iterative prototyping over pursuing a “perfect” first solution

• The importance of user-centered feedback in shaping meaningful outcomes

• How critical it is to balance functionality, simplicity, and dignity when designing assistive technology

This experience continues to influence how I approach design problems—starting broad, grounding ideas in real human needs, and refining solutions through thoughtful iteration.