STORY: At a construction site in Ayase, Japan, these workers are warned that they must take a break despite their sweat.
:: Ayase, Japan
Each worker wears a device in the form of a smart watch.
It measures the potentially surprising amount of sweat they lose at work.
When high or abnormal levels of dehydration are detected, automatic alerts are sent, telling them to rest and drink.
Japan is facing record temperatures, putting the health of people working outdoors at risk.
“There’s a lot of concern about whether you’re going to get heatstroke when you work outside.”
With earlier detection, it is hoped that employees will remain safe at work.
:: The Future of Health
Hideya Momose works for Skinos, a Nagano-based technology company behind the SKWL-1000.
It has been tracking construction site data since the wearable technology launched earlier this summer.
:: Hideya Momose, CEO of Skinos
“Many people lose four or five litres of water through sweating, but surprisingly many only drink about a litre of water, which significantly increases the risk of dehydration. We believe the risk of heatstroke can be reduced by using this device to ensure people stay hydrated while they work.”
The device combines a hygrometer to measure humidity with a heart rate monitor, an accelerometer and a skin temperature sensor.
MOMOSE: “As sweat comes off the skin, the surrounding air becomes more humid, and it is this humidity that the sensor measures.”
This data can then be sent via Bluetooth for remote monitoring, while alerting the wearer.
It includes a color-coding system, highlighting users’ current level of dehydration.
Back at the construction site, Shinpei Suzuki says they are following the advice of technology.
:: Shinpei Suzuki, site manager
“We now use this monitoring device. We take breaks and drink fluids based on the measurements taken by the device.”
