{"id":648767,"date":"2026-05-04T10:03:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/648767\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T10:03:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:03:16","slug":"smart-pillow-alerts-the-deaf-to-emergency-alarms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/648767\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart pillow alerts the deaf to emergency alarms"},"content":{"rendered":"

A smart pillow sleeve which vibrates to alert people who are deaf to fire and burglar alarms has been created by scientists at Nottingham Trent University.<\/p>\n

Developed with members of the deaf community, the smart textiles technology replaces bulky gadgets that are kept under pillows.<\/p>\n

The design is centred on a thin, flexible, electronic textile sleeve which features four tiny haptic actuators that create tactile feedback through vibrations, forces, or motions.<\/p>\n

PhD researcher Malindu Ehelagasthenna developed the sleeve as part of his doctoral studies at the university’s school of art and design.<\/p>\n

\"White<\/p>\n

The textile sleeve slips over a standard pillow [IAN REYNOLDS – NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY]<\/p>\n

The actuators measure 3.4 mm by 12.7 mm and are encapsulated and embedded within a yarn-like structure.<\/p>\n

Ehelagasthenna said the idea came directly from feedback from deaf users who wanted a less intrusive solution.<\/p>\n

“The electronics we have embedded in the yarns of the sleeve are so tiny that they cannot be felt by the users,” he said.<\/p>\n

“But when an alarm sounds they can be made to vibrate intensely in order to wake even the most heavy sleepers.”<\/p>\n

\"Dr<\/p>\n

Dr Theo Hughes\u2011Riley supervised the project [NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY]<\/p>\n

The sleeve slips over a standard size pillow and placed inside a normal pillow case.<\/p>\n

The electronics connect to a smartphone, via a microcontroller. It’s then wirelessly linked to household alarms.<\/p>\n

Once slept on, the smart pillow use different vibration pulses to indicate between fire alarms, burglar alarms and phone calls.<\/p>\n

Dr Theo Hughes-Riley, who supervised the research, said: “This smart design represents a significant step toward inclusive emergency alert systems, allowing deaf and deafblind individuals to sleep more safely – and with greater peace of mind and comfort.<\/p>\n

“It has been an entirely user-led development, stemming from feedback from the Deaf community, who told us exactly what kind of real world challenges they face which might be solved with electronic textiles.”<\/p>\n

The research team are now working to develop the prototype further and find an industrial partner, who would be interested in taking the product to market.<\/p>\n

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, or on Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or via WhatsApp<\/a> on 0808 100 2210.<\/p>\n

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