Wearable device allows graphic designer with Parkinson's disease to write her name again

Emma Lawton was a graphic designer. At age 29, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Three years later, hand tremors had progressed to the stage where she could no longer write her name, or draw a straight line. Now, a BBC project & Haiyan Zhang, Microsoft Research Cambridge’s innovation director, have produced a wearable device which allows her to do those things again.



Emma Lawton speaking at Being the Story. (The blue line across the screen which you may notice early in the video is not a fault in your equipment, or anywhere else – you’ll see the cause later in the video.)

/ graphic designer Emma Lawton diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago age of 29 BBC project Haiyan Zhang Microsoft Research Cambridge’s Microsoft Research Cambridge innovation director wearable device reclaim her lifelong passion for drawing and sketching The Big Life Fix BBC series got underway Emma Lawton featured first episode of the series focuses people United Kingdom’s top inventors solutions problems affect day-to-day life Parkinson’s disease cause sufferer’s hands shake uncontrollably making simple actions almost impossible Emma Lawton’s tremor becoming so severe career graphic designer serious jeopardy report from MS Power User Haiyan Zhang previously created cutlery disabled people reacts to their movements avoid spilling food building upon that foundation create wrist-worn device wearable dubbed the Emma facilitate facilitates drawing sketching counteracting impulses sent to the wearer’s arm The Emma intentionally shakes user’s arm interrupting feedback loop impedes normal movement while wearing the device Emma Lawton able to draw straight lines write legibly BBC program was filmed wearing the Emma on a daily basis Haiyan Zhang no plans to develop the Emma no commercial release commercial release designed the device to fit Lawton’s particular needs others will take the technology continue to develop it further /