Innovation of the week: A vibrating glove that steadies shaky hands
Meet the GyroGlove
A vibrating glove could help steady the hands of patients suffering from tremors caused by conditions like Parkinson's disease, said Matt McFarland at The Washington Post. The GyroGlove uses a rapidly spinning bronze disc on the back of the hand, weighing about as much as a roll of nickels and moving at up to 20,000 rotations per minute, to provide a steadying force. The effect "is akin to putting one's hand in molasses," naturally filtering out the wearer's shaking. GyroGear — the London-based startup that makes the glove — says it was able to reduce tremors by 90 percent in one test.
The idea of using wearable devices to ease tremors appeals to patients who'd like to avoid medications and their side effects. The company hopes to begin selling the GyroGlove by the end of 2016, with plans to adapt it "for surgeons, physical therapists, photographers, or anyone seeking to keep a steady hand."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Will Starmer's Brexit reset work?
Today's Big Question PM will have to tread a fine line to keep Leavers on side as leaks suggest EU's 'tough red lines' in trade talks next year
By The Week UK Published
-
How domestic abusers are exploiting technology
The Explainer Apps intended for child safety are being used to secretly spy on partners
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Scientists finally know when humans and Neanderthals mixed DNA
Under the radar The two began interbreeding about 47,000 years ago, according to researchers
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published