Skip to main content

Microsoft shows wearable that assists graphic designer with Parkinson’s disease

Microsoft shows off Parkinson's wearable during keynote at Build 2017

This invention helped me write again - BBC Stories
Graphic designer Emma Lawton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago at the age of 29. Now, with the help of a BBC project and Haiyan Zhang, Microsoft Research Cambridge’s innovation director, she’s been able to use a wearable device to reclaim her lifelong passion for drawing and sketching.

The Big Life Fix is a BBC series that got underway Wednesday. Lawton was featured in the first episode of the series, which focuses on people in need who turn to some of the United Kingdom’s top inventors for solutions to problems that affect their day-to-day life.

Other projects being tackled by the show include a solution for a terminally ill photographer who can no longer operate a camera, and the construction of a specialized BMX bike for a child born with no hands or feet.

Parkinson’s disease can cause sufferer’s hands to shake uncontrollably, making even simple actions almost impossible to carry out. Lawton’s tremor was becoming so severe that her career as a graphic designer was in serious jeopardy, according to a report from MS Power User.

Zhang previously created cutlery for disabled people that reacts to their movements to avoid spilling food. Building upon that foundation, she was able to create a wrist-worn device — dubbed the Emma — that helps facilitate drawing and sketching by counteracting the impulses being sent to the wearer’s arm.

The Emma intentionally shakes the user’s arm, interrupting the feedback loop that impedes normal movement. While wearing the device, Lawton was able to draw straight lines, and even write legibly. Since the BBC program was filmed, she’s apparently been wearing the Emma on a daily basis.

Zhang currently has no plans to develop the Emma into a commercial release, having designed the device to fit Lawton’s particular needs. However, she hopes that others will take the basis of the technology and continue to develop it further.

Microsoft featured the Emma during a keynote at Build 2017, showing clips from The Big Life Fix, and inviting Zhang and Lawton up on stage with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

“I’m always inspired when I listen to these stories of an individual developer who develops a deep sense of empathy for a scenario, and other human beings, and then goes after it with this most malleable of resources we have — software — and changes the world,” said Nadella, introducing the video detailing the project.

Updated 05-10-2017 by Brad Jones: Added that the Emma device was showcased as part of Microsoft’s keynote at Build 2017.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
New Microsoft Teams, Outlook features are designed for hybrid remote work
what comes next episode 1  offices workplaces abc thumbnail

Microsoft is detailing new research centered around the ongoing "reshuffle" to hybrid work. It is also showcasing solutions to help support the new normal for organizations where a mix of employees might work from both at home and in the office. New features for Teams, Outlook, and even LinkedIn and PowerPoint all fit in with those plans.

Leading these features is a slight update to Outlook. As part of helping meeting organizers understand who will be at a meeting, the Outlook RSVP feature will let people specify whether they will attend meetings in person or remotely.

Read more
Microsoft brings Windows 11 design improvements to Edge browser
The Microsoft Edge browser on a flat surface.

Microsoft's Edge browser is getting a visual overhaul to make it look consistent with the upcoming release of the Windows 11 operating system this fall. The Windows 11-inspired UI will bring features such as a thinner, more consistent scrollbar overlay to the browser as well as updates to the title bar icons. Though the features aren't available to all Windows users, those who sign up to beta test Microsoft's browser releases through the Edge Insider program can experience the new design elements ported from Windows 11 today.

If you're curious and want to try out Edge's new visual changes, be sure to sign up for Microsoft's Edge Insider Program and download the Canary Channel build. Keep in mind that Canary versions get updated nightly, and you may experience bugs or glitches. The browser is available for both Windows and Mac users.

Read more
Microsoft’s $70 Modern Webcam is designed for the work-from-home crowd
microsoft modern webcam 1080p  1

Microsoft has announced the Modern Webcam, a 1080p camera focused on work from home videoconferencing.

Unlike a lot of external webcams, Microsoft's Modern Webcam is a tiny little accessory that would fit especially well on a laptop. The popular Logitech C920S looks downright chunky in comparison. It's not Surface-branded, but it certainly looks sleek.

Read more