Scientists invent vibrating pillow to wake deaf sleepers during emergencies

By Nathan Pynn

Scientists have invented a smart pillow that vibrates to wake deaf people in emergencies.

The clever device alerts sleepers to fire alarms, burglar alarms and phone calls — without bulky gadgets under the pillow.

Designed alongside members of the deaf community, the sleeve slips over a standard pillow and sits inside a normal pillowcase.

At its heart is a thin, flexible electronic textile sleeve packed with four tiny haptic actuators that deliver powerful vibrations when an alarm sounds.

PhD researcher Malindu Ehelagasthenna, from Nottingham Trent University School of Art and Design, developed the device after deaf users asked for a less intrusive solution.

He said: “The electronics we have embedded in the yarns of the sleeve are so tiny that they cannot be felt by the users.

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“But when an alarm sounds they can be made to vibrate intensely in order to wake even the heaviest sleepers.”

Each actuator measures just 3.4 mm by 12.7 mm and is embedded inside a yarn-like structure, meaning users can sleep normally on top of it.

The electronics connect to a smartphone via a microcontroller and are then wirelessly linked to household alarms.

Different vibration patterns are used to tell sleepers whether it’s a fire alarm, burglar alarm or phone call.

Research supervisor Theo Hughes-Riley said the innovation could make a real difference.

He 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.

“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.”

The research team is now working to develop the prototype further and find an industrial partner to help bring the life-saving pillow sleeve to market.