Humanity has found itself within yet another global pandemic, one involving a respiratory virus that can easily be transmitted from one surface to its next victim simply by touching its own face. There is an obvious preventative method to avoid this problem, which is that you shouldn’t touch your face, at least not if you haven’t washed your hands well first. However, developing this new habit is more difficult than it sounds, so here to help there is a new DIY project from NASA.
NASA’s new Portable Pulse is a DIY necklace that aims to help the public learn not to touch their faces, at least during the COVID-19 pandemic. The space agency is not selling these, but its Jet Propulsion Laboratory has made its 3D printed concept available as an open source project for DIYers to do.
The concept is simple: if the user raises his hands to his face, a proximity sensor will detect it and, using the power of a common button battery, will make the necklace vibrate. This vibration will remind the user not to touch their face, which will help them establish the muscle memory necessary to form this new behavior.
NASA JPL provides the necessary STL files, as well as a list of the parts you will need and the assembly instructions. The 3D printer aside, the rest of the components are easy to obtain and the pendant should be easily made by anyone with basic electrical DIY skills. Of course, some companies are likely to hold on to this idea, improve it, and sell their own more refined versions to the public.
This is just one of the accessories that can help you avoid contracting the virus, but it is not enough to protect yourself. Health officials strongly agree that everyone should wear a face mask while in public, ideally a suitable medical mask, but due to a shortage of supplies, most people wear reusable cloth masks. In addition, the public is advised to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or, when in public, to use hand sanitizer.
