Project information
Concept Work: Student Project
Overview
Abrazo is a wearable device to provide immediate comfort during panic attacks with features that work together for effective anxiety management. The device automatically activates when it detects signs of a panic attack by measuring heart rate and delivering deep pressure therapy through soothing vibrations, compressions, and warmth. The companion app offers mood tracking, journaling, guided meditations, articles, and emergency alerts to notify contacts for support. It also tracks data on panic episodes, helping users identify triggers. With customizable settings for pressure and warmth, a user-friendly design, and remote control capabilities, Abrazo ensures that comfort is accessible for anyone during episodes of panic.
This project was created at SCAD while learning Perceptual and Cognitive Human Factors by Professor Denise Ranghetti do Pilar in Spring 2024.
My Role
Project Manager
Design Lead
Collaborators
Mariantonia Villaquiran
Product Owner
Industrial Design
Xirun Zhou
UI Designer
Awards
International Design Awards 2024
Honorable Mention
Red Dot Design Award 2025
Nominated by University, Awaiting Result
Problem
People who have panic attacks and/or extreme anxiety usually don’t have an effective way to manage their stress in the moment.
Why this problem?
As somebody who has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, occasionally having a panic attack, there is nothing worse than being in a mental health crisis with nothing to help get through the attack. Typically, those who have an anxiety disorder are told to talk to their counselor, but that appointment may be a week away, and counselors aren't always available to help their clients when they need them most.
Who's the target audience?
Our target audience mainly focuses on Millennials and Generation Z, as most panic attacks are felt by those aged 16 to 30. However, anxiety and panic attacks aren't limited to just those generations and ages.
How might we…
create an inclusive and effective real-time strategy for individuals experiencing panic attacks to manage stress and alleviate their symptoms in the moment, empowering them to regain control?
Solution
Solution 1
Mobile App
Solution 2
Abrazo Device
1/2: Mobile App
Home
Emotions
Relief
My Abrazo
2/2: Abrazo Device
Abrazo Device
The Abrazo Device automatically activates when it detects signs of a panic attack by measuring heart rate and delivering deep pressure therapy through soothing vibrations, compressions, and warmth. The device allows users to regain control of their emotional and mental health, no matter when a panic attack may happen.
Device
Connects to the Abrazo app via Bluetooth allowing data to be saved and shared between them
Senses heart rate and activates automatically if a panic attack is happening
Depending on the user’s settings, the device will heat up to a temperature of their preference and it will vibrate, mimicking a hug, also based off the breathing pattern the user chooses
Harness
Allows the device to be wearable underneath various styles of clothes
Machine washable
Options for material, color, and size personalization
Interchangeable
UX Research
Validating our market
Every year, about 11% (roughly 37 million) of people in the United States experience a panic attack.
3% (about 10 million) of the United States population has a diagnosed panic attack disorder.
16 to 30-year-olds experience the most panic attacks.
Only 1 in every 4 people ever seek treatment for their panic attack/anxiety disorder.
Discovery
Heart rate monitoring
Changes in heart rate can indicate emotional fluctuations, with an increase often associated with anxiety or stress.
Galvanic skin response (GSR)
This measures emotional reactions through minor electrical changes in the skin. Anxiety increases sweat gland activity, reducing skin resistance, detectable by GSR/EDA devices.
Breathing rate monitoring
Anxiety and stress can alter breathing patterns, typically causing faster, shallower breaths. Monitoring breathing rates can indicate higher anxiety levels.
Concept validation interviews
11 end-user interviews
1 expert interview
End-user insights
People often feel comforted by the company of others during panic attacks. Still, they may hesitate to reach out due to feelings of being a burden or the fear of increasing anxiety if there is no response.
While distractions can provide temporary relief from anxiety, they are not a sustainable solution, as the unresolved feelings often resurface.
When experiencing a panic attack or suffering from anxiety, people prefer a smaller group of people around them.
People get the most anxiety when thinking about overwhelming amounts of work and the future because its uncontrollable.
Expert insights
Neurodivergent people are easily overstimulated making clothing with textures, colors, seems, and tags extremely hard to use.
Current deep pressure therapy devises are rendered useless because it makes the user constantly use it which makes them feel trapped and/or overheat.
A product like Abrazo would really help me. When I’m feeling anxious, I don't want other people to touch me directly. I like to tightly hug my cat or squeeze a pillow, so having something that wraps around me that is like another person’s touch would be really nice.
INTERVIEW PARTICIPANT
Abrazo would be a really helpful product because all of the other solutions that exist now have something that renders them useless at some point.
NEURODIVERSITY SPECIALIST
41 survey respondents
66%
of respondents reported they have already tried deep pressure therapy techniques (e.g., weighted blankets, hugs) to alleviate feelings of anxiety
74%
of respondents reported they would use a product that mimics a hug using deep pressure therapy for moments of anxiety
83%
of respondents reported they want data collected by the device to be shared with their mental health provider for better treatment
98%
of respondents reported they want the product to have customizable settings for pressure intensity
Competitor Analysis
Direct Competitor
Harkla
Key Features
Deep pressure input vest
Weight is adjustable
Breathable mesh on the front/back
Machine and spot clean washable
Constant wear
Audience
Special needs children
Weaknesses
Only available to kids
Too visible
Constant pressure
Reviews
Reviews are excellent
“My 4 year old has a tough time self regulating, and calming down, she absolutely loves this! This has really helped her with her attention and regulation."
Cost
$69.99
Indirect Competitor
BetterHelp
Key Features
Communicate with therapists through text messages, phone calls, and video sessions
Users can opt to remain anonymous, ensuring confidentiality throughout the therapy process
Various online resources and self-help tools: articles, quizzes, and exercises to help users better understand and manage their mental health
Audience
People of all backgrounds and ages with psychological guidance needs.
Weaknesses
Varying levels of therapist expertise
Can be difficult to find the right "fit"
Lack of face-to-face interactivity
Reviews
Reviews are overall positive
“[My therapist] Barbara is very professional, kind, compassionate, and insightful. She also has a wonderful sense of humor. Just an all-round lovely human being.”
Cost
$60-90/week
Indirect Competitor
Headspace
Key Features
Wide range of guided meditations suitable for different needs and experience levels
Sleep feature provides various tools to help improve sleep with sleep meditations, calm stories and music, and soundscapes
Connect with a licensed mental health professional
Audience
Those who suffer from mental illness and/or sleep problems
Meditation seekers
Weaknesses
Lack of deep personalization
Not for emergency use
Hard to start; too many videos
Reviews
Reviews are very positive
“You won’t regret buying a Headspace subscription. I often joke with people that Headspace is the one thing I would want to take with me to a desert island.”
Cost
$69/year or $12/month
Indirect Competitor
Sensory Direct
Key Features
Vests, sweaters, fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones
Interchangeable weights
Easy to wash
Audience
People with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, and autism
Weaknesses
Constant wear
Can only be used for 20-30 min at a time
Can cause extreme heat
Reviews
Reviews are overall positive.
“Great product if you can afford it! I would have given 5 stars if there were weight pockets sewn into the front to provide weight on the chest. The fit is also a bit odd if zipped up for someone with a large chest.”
Cost
£124.74
User Persona
Brand Identity
Conclusion
Reflection
When prompted to create a product that serves the neurodiverse community, we immediately thought of creating a product that helps ease one of the scariest feelings of being in a moment of panic and/or extreme anxiety without anything to help in the moment. Oftentimes people who have these feelings are left helpless and have to rely on tips and tricks learned in mental health counseling. However, not everyone has access to quality mental health care, leaving them feeling even more helpless.
Abrazo was a very fun product to work on, not only because we were learning how to design products that address human factors and psychology but also because I personally have an anxiety disorder. Even though moments of panic happen very rarely, when they do happen, I wished I had something where I could calm down completely by myself. Often these moments would happen when I didn't have a scheduled counseling appointment for another week, leaving me stuck in one of the worst feelings I've ever experienced.