Presentation
Wearables in the Drop Zone: Human-Centered Design of a Sensor Sock for Airborne Training
DescriptionAirborne soldiers experience extreme biomechanical forces during parachute landings, contributing to persistent lower-extremity injury risk during training. Wearable sensing technologies offer new opportunities to better understand landing mechanics and support evidence-based training decisions, but many systems fail to transition outside the laboratory due to poor comfort, durability, or alignment with operational needs.
This presentation describes the human-centered design and development of a sensor-embedded sock intended to support airborne training evaluation. The effort combined stakeholder engagement with airborne subject matter experts, operational site visits at U.S. Army Airborne School, and laboratory testing to iteratively refine the wearable system. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of balancing sensing capability with comfort, usability, durability, and compatibility with existing equipment and training culture.
The presentation will discuss practical challenges encountered during development, including sensor reliability, garment fit, electronics placement, and user acceptance, as well as broader human factors considerations for wearable technologies in high-risk operational environments. The case study offers insights for researchers and practitioners developing wearable systems intended for real-world deployment in physically demanding settings.
This presentation describes the human-centered design and development of a sensor-embedded sock intended to support airborne training evaluation. The effort combined stakeholder engagement with airborne subject matter experts, operational site visits at U.S. Army Airborne School, and laboratory testing to iteratively refine the wearable system. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of balancing sensing capability with comfort, usability, durability, and compatibility with existing equipment and training culture.
The presentation will discuss practical challenges encountered during development, including sensor reliability, garment fit, electronics placement, and user acceptance, as well as broader human factors considerations for wearable technologies in high-risk operational environments. The case study offers insights for researchers and practitioners developing wearable systems intended for real-world deployment in physically demanding settings.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeWednesday, October 21st11:40am - 12pm PDT
Location