Wearability and User Experience Through User Engagement: The Case Study of a Wearable Device

The text presents the results of a Transnational Research Project (SAF€RA Joint Call 2014) called “POD-Plurisensorial Device to Prevent Occupational Disease”, within a consortium made up of Design Department of Politecnico di Milano, Delft University of Technology and Comftech S.r.l. (an Italian Company specialized in electronic/smart textile). The research project aims at developing a novel concept of wearable system to prevent respiratory diseases inside the specific working environment of a coating plant. The paper will present the results of the research project based on a human-centred approach, from the user analysis sessions to the system development. In the process we have considered the user as the ultimate experts, those who can properly assess design innovation, propose changes, and ultimately, integrate end products within their environments.