See more objects with the tag circular, jewelry, fashion, accessory, wearable, white, watch, bracelet, assistive device, routine, stability, Parkinson's, vibrating, eggshell blue, cursive, control, counterbalance , haptic.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

2016

  • Work on this object began.

2017

2025

  • You found it!

Prototype, Emma Watch

This is a prototype. It was designed by Nicolas Villar and manufactured by Microsoft Research. It is dated 2016. Its medium is 3d printing, custom pcb.

UK-based graphic designer Emma Lawton was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013 and lost the ability to draw and write her name due to active hand tremors. Microsoft researchers Haiyan Zhang and Nicolas Villar invented the Emma Watch, a wearable device that uses haptic vibration technology to allow Emma to regain the use of her hand.

It is credited Lent by Haiyan Zhang.

  • Watch (USA)
  • plastic, electronic components, metal.
  • Gift of Entertainment Systems of America.
  • 1983-7-1
  •
  • Cruciform watch Watch
  • gilt-bronze, rock crystal, brass, silver, steel, leather and silk case.
  • Gift of Anonymous Donor.
  • 1967-48-73-a,b
  •

Our curators have highlighted 9 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Utensil, Liftware Level
  • polycarbonate, stainless steel, electronic components.
  • Gift of Verily Life Sciences.
  • s-e-2625

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 1.9 × 21.6 × 3.8 cm (3/4 × 8 1/2 × 1 1/2 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Access+Ability.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1158857419/ |title=Prototype, Emma Watch |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=6 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>