Tech giant Microsoft has just unveiled one of their newest, most innovative designs: a wristwatch that can temporarily halt tremors in people with Parkinson’s disease.
MORE: Inventor solves graphic designer’s problem with Parkinson’s tremors
The prototype was showcased at the Microsoft Build 2017 event in Seattle, Washington. The watch works by vibrating in a certain pattern which disrupts the patient’s own tremors and quiets them. According to USA Today, the “Emma” watch was originally designed for a British graphic designer, whose Parkinson’s disease had left her unable to do her job. Microsoft engineers accepted a challenge on behalf of the BBC television program The Big Fix and astounded everyone when Emma was able to write her name while wearing the device.
Although the watch doesn’t cure tremors, it could offer a practical solution to millions of people living with the disease and the technology can be built upon to come up with other creative ideas that may help tremors in other parts of the body.
MORE: Designing hacks for life with Parkinson’s disease
Parkinsons’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
How do I get an Emma watch?
How do I get an Emma watch for Parkinsons
Is it available? Wasn’t this news a while back. Anything different?
Would love to try this for my husbands essential tremors. Where can I buy it?
Does it calm both hands or just the one with the watch?
What I want to know is When will the watch be available for purchase?
where can i get one?
Is this watch commercially available now? How? I’m using bean bag weights to resist my tremors, and this watch would make a big difference. Thank you for any info.
When will the watch be available for purchase? I have a number of anxious people in my Parkinson’s group.
How long before its on the market? What’s it’s likely price?
How we can get one? please inform me.
Will it work on essential tremors as well?
Please let me know when this will be available.
pleasei am also a parkinsons patient let me know when its available in new zealand. thanks
I would also like to know when the Emma watch will be available. It’s over a year since it was announced and demonstrated, so why the silence since then?
Please Please would you send me the details of how I can purchase this watch for my husband with PD. He is suffers with extreme tremors at times which leaves him exhausted and in pain through the contractions. Some respite for him would really lovely.
I have essential tremors with a moderate to severe tremor in both hands. Is this watch available for trial or purchase?