Semio.Soles
A Smart Garment for Covert Police Operations
O.T. Balk (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
M.H. Sonneveld – Mentor (TU Delft - Human Factors)
B.B. Petreca – Graduation committee member
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Abstract
This project is an exploration of the application opportunities for the next generation of smart textile products in the niche context of high-pressure police operations. This target group is chosen as the current communication media enable concrete and clear communication, but are also bulky and obtrusive, to the extent that they are visible and distinguishable to the attentive criminal or bystander. Yet, their line of communication is paramount for a good result, i.e. clear and concise communication at all times are critical factors during operations. Both the context and timeline of observation operations are researched, as well as the current state of smart textiles in modern society. As conclusion of the research, a future vision of smart textiles is formulated and a design space for ideation is outlined. The goal of the product is to re-establish a connection between covert agents in situations where conventional communication (visual or auditive) is not possible. Semio.Soles is a product concept that enables observation agents to notify their colleagues that they are ok, while operating in a no-contact situation. Agents can send basic status information about themselves and the situation that they are in, to other agents that are on standby in the vicinity. This helps agents standing-by to maintain situation awareness of a situation that they are not in and cannot see or hear.
Concluding the project, a final evaluation is done and recommendations for future development and research are formulated.