Description:
What's Cool (Anna)
The most important use of the SmartCap is to promote safety. The creator of the SmartCap was involved in the mining industry, where employees use heavy machinery and work long hours. These two conditions could result in an accident, but with the SmartCap, the accident could be averted. The SmartCap screen device located inside the machine's cab will beep if it is determined that the cap's wearer is too fatigued. Not only does the information go to the in-cab device, but it can also be monitored by employers. Employers can review this information to decide who should and who should not be operating heavy machinery. It can also be used to determine work schedules. Employers can look over results from the SmartCap to see who is able to work long hours, and who tires too easily to handle heavy machinery for long periods of time.
The SmartCap is practical. While it will not function properly of thoroughly soaked, it can withstand sweat. It can also be washed. The producers of the SmartCap recommend that users hand wash the cap for best results. Along with the baseball cap design, this technology is available in headbands and visors. The technology's producers are working on implementing it in hard hats as well.
On page 73 of Alone Together, Sherry Turkle discusses how new technologies are being invented to do jobs that humans once held. If enough accidents occurred in a certain field of work, it could be decided that it would be safer to invent some sort of technology to work in that field. The SmartCap is a technology that can be used with people to help complete a job, instead of replacing people.
