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  • 2014
  • The smart alarm clock

The smart alarm clock

A smart alarm clock that alerts you to weather conditions and allows for the right mode of transport to get you to work on time is being developed at the 91¶¶Òõ.

Published 29 May 2014

The alarm picks up weather and travel reports via RSS wi-fi feed, calculating the travel time needed to get to work, according to the weather. Instead of setting the alarm for the time you wish to wake, you programme it for the time you want to reach your place of work and let the alarm plan a stress-free wake up time to incorporate low carbon travel.

Act Alarm clock has three main functions, a projector displaying data on the ceiling when the alarm is triggered, a three-day weather report, and personal incentives on burning calories and financial savings to make travel easier and less stressful.

Sustainable product design student Samuel Young, a keen cyclist, came up with the idea as a way of encouraging people to walk or cycle to work: “Good weather reports mean you’ll have time to use sustainable transport, to walk or cycle, and cut your use of carbon fuel.”

Samuel is among final year sustainable product design students showcasing their innovations at an exhibition this Friday and Saturday (30 and 31 May) at The Basement in Kensington Street, 91¶¶Òõ.

Samuel Young with his Act Alarm

Samuel Young

Nik Hannay with his Contego helmet

Nik Hannay

Nik Hannay has developed a smart helmet for American football players. It contains pressure sensors to indicate any potential concussion injuries after tackles. If the sensors pick up pressure changes in the skull, it shows a red light on the helmet and sends an alert to coaches on the touchline.

Nik said: “There are 100,000 concussion injuries in the NFL every year and 60 per cent come from head-to-head clashes.”

The helmet, called Contego, is also designed to change behaviour on the pitch.

Tommy Donovan with his ALTA board

Tommy Donovan

Nik’s design includes a transparent polycarbonate visor that improves peripheral vision but also exposes more of the head and face to the opposition:

“It will show players exactly what they are crashing into – people’s skulls – and the idea is to discourage players from using their helmets as offensive weapons.”

Tommy Donovan has developed ALTA, an all-terrain board which mimics snowboarding and can be turned and stopped using weight distribution.

“This makes UK terrain more accessible for people wanting to experience the joy of snowboarding – without the snow.”

The Design for Societal Change exhibition includes a talk on Friday evening from Professor Jonathan Chapman, Professor of Sustainable Design. You can register for a free ticket here. And for more information visit the or email the Event Co-ordinator Daniel Cano at danielcano@hotmail.co.uk.

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