CAPE

Background & Research

Prolonged computer use poses long-term risks to the shoulder and neck health of office workers. Sitting posture is closely tied to shoulder and neck alignment; adopting proper and healthy sitting habits can significantly improve these health outcomes. However, there is a noticeable lack of suitable products on the market to help individuals develop and maintain proper sitting postures.

Project Overview

CAPE is a smart product designed to detect and assist users in cultivating healthy sitting habits. By monitoring the positions of three key points on the shoulders and neck, the product evaluates posture and provides real-time feedback via program notifications to educate users about proper sitting posture and correct current errors. Targeting office workers who spend extended hours seated, the product seamlessly integrates into their daily routines by combining its functional concept with a commonly worn workplace accessory—a shawl. The result is a cape-like wearable product.

Vision

Most existing products addressing shoulder and neck health focus on short-term relief through massage or enforce posture correction through restrictive braces. These approaches often provide only temporary or forceful solutions. In contrast, this project aims to naturally and unobtrusively integrate detection and reminders into users' work environments. By encouraging users to actively develop and sustain long-term healthy posture habits, CAPE seeks to alleviate shoulder and neck pain and reduce dependency on external devices. Ideally, it offers a fundamental, lasting improvement to shoulder and neck health.