Dubai student's game-changing innovation for the deaf

Dubai - SmartPillow app provides alternative sensory alerts in emergency situations

A 24-year-old Dubai student, JayShaud Potter, has developed a new technology that delivers an early warning of emergency situations for people coping with hearing loss challenges.

Drawing on his own experience of living with deafness, JayShaud has innovated a 'Smart Pillow' as part of his Master degree in City Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai.

JayShaud used the Internet of Things (IoT) to network domestic devices, such as door bells, smoke alarms and security systems, to deliver an alternative sensory alert which is connected to a user’s smartphone or tablet.

Born deaf, JayShaud often struggled to communicate the day-to-day challenges he faced with his hearing impairment.

He said: “When I was younger, I had difficulties with simple things, like getting up in the morning, because I wasn’t able to hear an alarm like the rest of my family. As I grew up, I spent a lot of time worrying about what might happen in an emergency situation like a fire or the threat of an intruder.”

His technology is designed to improve the quality of life and promote independent living for people with hearing loss and to address the challenges of other people of determination.

Speaking about his innovation, JayShaud explained: “I have faced several worries pertaining to tackling emergency situations. Through the application, the pillow connects to a user’s phone or tablet to deliver a wake-up prompt. It can also connect to any smart household device, from doorbells and car alarms to smoke/carbon detectors and baby monitors, to provide non-audio alerts about unusual activities or emergency situations through alternative techniques such as lights and haptics.”

Lauding the UAE’s initiatives undertaken to encourage innovation and technology in the country, JayShaud, a US national, pointed out that he specifically came here to pursue his Master’s programme.