Wave Hat – Brain wave tracking smart hard hat

The ‹Wave Hat› is a groundbreaking smart hard hat designed to enhance worker safety at industrial sites. Its LED signals, located on the back, use carefully selected colors to indicate the wearer’s physical and mental condition. To ensure sustainability, its electronic components are embedded in the harness, and the outer shell is replaceable. The design achieves an optimal balance of durability and lightweight construction, making it both practical and comfortable for users. By collecting and transmitting brainwave and health data, the Wave Hat enables seamless monitoring of workers’ health on-site.

Idea

Industrial accidents are a critical issue in South Korea, with over 1,700 fatalities reported in 2019 alone. South Korean law mandates that construction workers wear hard hats at all times, making them an ideal platform for integrated safety technology.

HHS, an emerging tech start-up, aims to address this issue using smart technology, user-centered design, and service-oriented thinking. The ‹Wave Hat› combines health-monitoring sensors, such as EEG brainwave trackers, with safety management systems. These connected features allow for real-time monitoring and simplified management of on-site safety conditions.

Form

The ‹Wave Hat› draws inspiration from the visual imagery of brainwaves, evoking a sense of fluidity and flexibility. Its bluish-purple and white color scheme represents futuristic technology and stability.

Through ethnographic research, the design team uncovered construction workers’ pride and professionalism, which informed the product’s aesthetic. The ‹Wave Hat› embodies key design values such as flexibility, fluidity, honesty, and integrity. Its lightweight structure enhances usability, making it a practical and appealing solution for workers.

Function

• LED Signals: Different colors indicate the wearer’s condition, ensuring clear communication on-site.
• Sustainability: The outer shell is replaceable, and key electronics are embedded in the harness, prolonging the product’s lifecycle.
• Ergonomics: Lightweight materials and human-factor engineering ensure comfort and ease of use.
• Health Monitoring: Sensors collect brainwave and other health data, seamlessly transmitting it to safety management systems.

Differentiation

Unlike other smart helmets, the ‹Wave Hat› focuses on user experience and service design. This approach encourages proactive safety habits and simplifies complex safety management. Its companion app provides a transparent and accessible way to track workers’ conditions, promoting behavioral change through positive reinforcement.

By integrating technology, design, and service, the ‹Wave Hat›offers an innovative solution to industrial safety challenges, emphasizing the value of every individual’s life.

Impact

South Korea has one of the highest rates of industrial accidents among OECD countries, with over 82,000 cases reported annually. Many of these accidents stem from inadequate safety systems, insufficient education, and high-pressure work environments.

The ‹Wave Hat› and its companion ‹Wave System› aim to transform this landscape. By prioritizing user-friendly safety solutions, these tools can enhance on-site safety, foster a culture of awareness, and save lives.