LittleGard: A powerful wristband for parents to safeguard well-being of infants

• LittleGard wristband is capable of monitoring an infant’s vital signs and initiating emergency alerts when necessary.
• Device meticulously tracks a baby’s body temperature, oxygen levels, and pulse rate, providing comprehensive real-time monitoring.

Necessity is the mother of all innovations and it has proven true in the case of Dr Rula Sharqi, a Associate Professor at School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the Heriot-Watt University’s Dubai campus.

The inspiration for this groundbreaking project stemmed from Dr. Sharqi’s personal experience, in 2018, as a single mother caring for her unwell two-year-old son, Joseph. During the arduous nights of monitoring his fever, she was struck by the need for a solution that could alleviate the physical and emotional toll on parents.

The realisation prompted her to collaborate with fourth-year robotics engineering student, Nakhul Kalaivanan, to bring this idea to life.

They have developed the world’s first “smart baby wristband” – a device capable of comprehensive monitoring of an infant’s vital signs and initiating emergency alerts when necessary.

The LittleGard wristband is a testament to the power of innovative thinking. Equipped with advanced nano sensors, the device meticulously tracks a baby’s body temperature, oxygen levels, and pulse rate, providing comprehensive real-time monitoring.

Unique features

Unlike similar products on the market, the smart wristband offers a unique feature – the ability to directly send text alerts to parents, caregivers, and even emergency services when vital readings breach safe limits.

“Uncontrolled fevers account for the highest number of fatalities in infants, so it’s a very serious problem,” Dr. Sharqi said, underscoring the critical importance of this innovation.

“The circadian rhythm, which regulates the body’s temperature throughout the day, can cause fevers to worsen at night, a phenomenon that heightens the need for vigilant monitoring.”

The wristband’s design, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, addresses the challenges faced by parents during these vulnerable moments. The device is fixed to the baby’s skin using a rubber material akin to that of an Apple watch, ensuring accurate readings. It is also wireless and powered by a rechargeable battery, boasting a remarkable six-month lifespan between charges.

Nakhul Kalaivanan, the robotics engineering student involved in the project, highlights the advanced features that set the LittleGard wristband apart.

“With our wristband design, there won’t be any false readings as the sensors are placed directly onto the skin. It’s also a safe option as the device is battery powered and won’t overheat.”

Moreover, the wristband is equipped with built-in safeguards to ensure that alert messages can always be sent, even in the event of temporary Wi-Fi disruptions.

A poignant example

The collaborative effort between Dr. Sharqi and Nakhul Kalaivanan has resulted in a working prototype, and the team is now eager to offer their invention to industry partners with the capability to bring the LittleGard to market.

The story of the smart baby wristband is not merely a tale of technological advancement; it is a poignant example of how personal experiences can inspire groundbreaking solutions.

Dr. Sharqi’s own struggle as a parent, coupled with her expertise as an electronics engineer, has given rise to an innovation that promises to revolutionise the way parents care for their most precious assets – children.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of infant healthcare, the LittleGard wristband stands as a beacon of hope, offering parents and caregivers a powerful tool to safeguard the well-being of their little ones.

The pioneering invention, born out of a mother’s empathy and an engineer’s ingenuity, has the potential to save countless lives and transform the very fabric of healthcare for generations to come.

Companies interested in finding out more about the product can contact Dr Sharqi via: [email protected].