A new approach to wearable systems: Biodesign beyond the boundaries

This paper presents a design framework for wearable systems. The research is focused on the development of a new design method aimed at the design of wearables. The objective is to use designer’s sensibility to address wearables issues by meeting not only technological and medical requirements, but also user needs and social challenges with a human-centred approach. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach typical of the Biodesign discipline, a nucleus of competencies in the areas of design, ergonomics, engineering and medicine. This approach has been developed with various researchers in order to better understand wearables from different perspectives. This paper describes a wearable device for physiological monitoring and training in high performance sport developed at The University of the New South Wales. The case study is used as a starting point for the development of a new design method and guidelines for wearable systems.