STORY: At a construction site in Ayase, Japan, these workers are notified to take a break through their sweat.
:: Ayase, Japan
Each worker is wearing a smartwatch-shaped device.
It measures the potentially surprising amount of perspiration they lose on the job.
When high or abnormal levels of dehydration are detected, automated alerts are sent, telling them to rest and have a drink.
Japan is grappling with record-breaking temperatures, putting the health of people working outdoors at risk.
“You really worry a lot about when you’re going to get heatstroke while you’re working outdoors.”
With earlier detection, the hope is employees will stay safe on the job.
:: Future of Health
Hideya Momose is with the Nagano-based technology firm Skinos behind the SKWL-1000.
He’s tracked the data from the construction site since releasing the wearable tech earlier this summer.
:: Hideya Momose, CEO, Skinos
“There are a lot people losing four or five liters through sweating, but surprisingly many are only drinking around one liter of water so their risk of dehydration is very high. We believe that the risk of heat stroke can be lowered by using this device to make sure people stay hydrated while working.”
The device combines a hygrometer to measure humidity with a heart rate monitor, an accelerometer, and a skin temperature sensor.
MOMOSE: “As sweat emerges from the skin the surrounding air becomes more humid, and it’s that humidity that the sensor measures.”
That data can then be sent via Bluetooth for remote monitoring, while also alerting the wearer.
It includes a color-coded system, highlighting users’ current level of dehydration.
Back on the construction site, Shinpei Suzuki says they’re taking the technology’s advice.
:: Shinpei Suzuki, Construction site manager
“Now we’re using this monitoring device. We take breaks and drink fluids based on the measurements from the device.”