Canaria: A Sensing Device For Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Haiqingqing Qi
Designers have the power to visualize things that others don’t often notice in their daily lives. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a complex syndrome that manifests as a result of exposure to a low level of common chemicals. It is a disability that is not often acknowledged by the general public, yet has both adverse health effects and social outcomes for many people’s everyday lives. Improperly handled policies in public spaces, such as offices or campuses, can sometimes lead to situations where people with MCS may be excluded, leading to isolation and discrimination.
To help students with such disabilities thrive in a campus environment and raise awareness of MCS among the community, this project offers a digital solution to this problem including a mobile application and its accompanying sensor device. This app can help people to receive customized alerts and visualizations when trigger chemicals appear. It also has a community feature that helps users to find information and emotional support while sharing various MCS experiences. The project imagines a future technology, a brooch-like device that can detect odorants and chemicals in the air while being aesthetically pleasing and safe to use. As technology continues to evolve, designers shouldn’t be constrained to the current scope of what’s feasible, it is time to take a step ahead and imagine for future generations.