Japanese company Fujitsu launched on Monday a watch-like device that measures the body’s temperature and pulse, along with humidity to prevent incidents of heat stroke, Efe news agency reported.
If heat and humidity exceed a certain level, or if the person wearing the device shows signs of fatigue, the gadget sends an alert to computers in the central office to alert a possible collapse, Fujitsu explained in a statement on Monday.
Heat stroke arises from prolonged exposure to high temperatures in combination with dehydration that fails to regulate body’s temperature control system. Heat stroke is strongly related to the heat index—a measurement of actual feel of heat in combination with relative humidity and air temperature. A relative humidity of 60 percent or more hampers sweat evaporation, which hinders body’s ability to cool itself.
Heat stroke is capable of killing or causing damage to the brain and other internal organs. It can lead to complications of the central nervous system on exposure to high temperatures. It is a medical emergency that continues to be a foremost cause for preventable death in sports. Mostly young athletes are affected by this. People above 50 years of age are also reported to be afflicted with this condition.
The device has been developed with people who work outdoors in mind, such as those in construction or agriculture, and was designed to prevent heat stroke by quickly responding to warning signs, the company said.
Fujitsu plans to put the product on the market toward the end of the year.
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Source: IANS
