EXPLORER: Smart Wearable Lighting Hat

EXPLORER is a wearable smart lighting system designed to improve visibility, safety, and hands-free navigation in low-light environments. The hat features adjustable front-facing lights, a built-in camera, solar charging, tactile controls, and an SOS safety feature for emergency situations.

Rather than relying on handheld flashlights or bulky headlamps, EXPLORER prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and intuitive control through both physical buttons and a connected mobile app.

Tools
Physical Prototyping, User Research, Sketching, Iterative Design, Figma UI Design, Wearable Computing, Accessibility-Centered Design

Year
2025

Role
Product Designer, UX Designer, Physical Prototyping & User Research

*Completed collaboratively as part of a team-based academic design project.

Overview

EXPLORER is a smart wearable lighting hat designed to improve safety, visibility, and hands-free navigation in low-light environments. The system combines adjustable front-facing lights, a built-in camera, tactile physical controls, solar charging, and an SOS safety feature into a single wearable device.

Designed for nighttime walking, outdoor work, hiking, and emergency scenarios, EXPLORER prioritizes accessibility, comfort, and real-world usability through both physical and app-based controls.

Preliminary Concepts & EarlyDesign Exploration

Each team member explored two early concept directions to test different approaches to lighting placement, controls, comfort, and aesthetics. These sketches were shared with potential users for early feedback.

SLEEK

Minimalist wearable lighting band with tactile controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and front-facing LED visibility.

Beam Band

A lightweight smart lighting band designed for targeted, directional visibility with adjustable brightness controls and hands-free functionality for active movement.

Halo

Wraparound head-mounted lighting designed for balanced illumination without blocking field of view.

EXPLORER

A solar-powered smart lighting hat featuring adjustable front LEDs, tactile controls, built-in camera, SOS safety mode, and mobile app connectivity for hands-free use in low-light environments.

Helping Hat

Comfort-first smart lighting hat with intuitive button placement and hands-free everyday usability.

Modular Visor

A customizable smart lighting visor featuring detachable lighting modules and adjustable positioning for flexible visibility based on user activity and environment.

  • Sleek

    A minimalist, wearable smart lighting band designed for users who prioritize discretion, portability, and fast access to controls. The band features front-facing LED lighting, tactile control buttons, Bluetooth connectivity, and app-based brightness and mode adjustments. Designed for commuters, runners, and everyday urban use, SLEEK emphasizes subtle visibility, lightweight comfort, and hands-free safety in low-light environments.

  • Halo

    is a head-mounted lighting system designed to provide balanced, wraparound illumination without obstructing the user’s field of view. The concept focuses on evenly distributed lighting zones around the head for spatial awareness, with adjustable brightness and directional control. Halo explores an ergonomic form for users who need wide-area visibility in immersive or technical environments.

  • Helping Hat

    Helping Hat

    A comfort-focused smart lighting hat designed to feel familiar, wearable, and intuitive for everyday users. The design prioritizes simple button placement, soft materials, and user-friendly controls for brightness and safety features. This concept is especially suited for older users, caregivers, and individuals seeking reliable hands-free lighting without complex interactions.

  • EXPLORER

    A smart, wearable lighting hat designed for enhanced visibility, safety, and hands-free mobility in dark or low-light conditions. The hat features adjustable front-facing lighting, tactile control buttons, a built-in camera, Bluetooth connectivity, an SOS emergency mode, and a solar charging panel for extended use. This concept prioritizes comfort, stability, and functionality for outdoor workers, hikers, night walkers, and safety-conscious users.

  • Modular Visor

    A detachable lighting system designed to clip onto existing headwear. This concept allows users to transform standard hats or helmets into smart lighting devices using modular components. With adjustable light panels, tactile buttons, and removable camera integration, the visor emphasizes flexibility, customization, and adaptability across different user activities and environments.

  • Beam Band

    a slim, curved smart lighting band designed for directional spotlight use. Unlike full-coverage lighting concepts, Beam Band focuses on targeted illumination for precise tasks such as repairs, night work, or searching in confined spaces. The concept explores a lightweight, task-oriented approach that emphasizes control precision over wide-area lighting.

  • “Cooperative play demonstrates how shared visibility and role distribution can turn uncertainty into coordinated action.”

  • “When all players shared the same board state, misunderstandings decreased and coordination improved.”

  • “Defined roles reduced conflict and decision fatigue, ensuring that every player contributed to the team’s progress.”

  • “Limited actions and constant threats kept players engaged, mirroring the urgency of real workplace deadlines.”

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