The technical-administrative officer of Education (TAE) Caíke Silva, electronic technician, of the Institute of Engineering and Sustainable Development (Ieds) and the professor Luís Gustavo Chaves, of the Institute of Rural Development (IDR), with the participation also of the professor and researcher Joel José Puga Coelho Rodrigues, of the Federation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism of the State of Ceará (Fecomércio), had the invention entitled “SunHat: hat to monitor rural workers‘ sun exposure” selected for the Hall of Inventors Cearense 2024.
20 inventions are chosen to participate in the Ceará Hall of Inventors which will take place on November 23, 2024, in Fortaleza, at the Ceará Events Center, at the Knowledge Fair (FdC), organized by the Government of Ceará, through the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher Training (Secitece), on this day the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be selected.
SunHat seeks to solve a major problem faced by rural workers: prolonged, unmonitored exposure to solar radiation. This type of exposure, over time, can lead to serious health problems, including dehydration, sunburn and, in severe cases, skin cancer. However, real-time monitoring of environmental conditions during outdoor work is still poor, making it difficult to protect and prevent sun and heat-related risks.
In addition to collecting data, SunHat sends alerts and safety recommendations directly to the worker’s smartphone. If UV exposure levels or temperatures exceed safe limits, the device alerts the user, suggesting protective measures, such as seeking shade or hydration. This allows for a rapid response to risk conditions, helping to minimize negative impacts on workers’ health, especially in activities carried out during the hottest hours of the day.
The social relevance of SunHat is evident, as it contributes to the well-being and safety of rural workers, a group of people who are often exposed to extreme conditions and who do not always have access to sophisticated protective equipment. Furthermore, by integrating the data collected with an online platform accessible to occupational health and safety professionals, the project allows for remote and broader monitoring of working conditions, strengthening preventive and health protection practices in the agricultural sector.
What features make the SunHat an innovative solution for protecting rural workers from sun exposure?
Interview Title: Innovations Under the Sun—The SunHat Project
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to this special edition of Time.news. Today, we have an incredible opportunity to speak with two brilliant minds behind a groundbreaking invention that promises to change the way we protect our rural workers from sun exposure. I’m joined by Caíke Silva, an electronic technician from the Institute of Engineering and Sustainable Development, and professor Luís Gustavo Chaves from the Institute of Rural Development. Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today!
Caíke Silva (CS): Thank you for having us!
Luís Gustavo Chaves (LGC): It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s jump right in. You’ve developed an innovative product called the ”SunHat”. Can you explain what the SunHat is and what inspired you to create it?
CS: Absolutely! The SunHat is a specially designed hat equipped with sensors that monitor the UV exposure of rural workers. The idea came from observing the harsh conditions that these workers face daily, particularly in terms of sun exposure, which can lead to serious health issues like skin cancer. We wanted to create a solution that not only protects them but also helps raise awareness about the risks of excessive sun exposure.
LGC: That’s right. We often forget about the influence of the sun in our daily lives, especially for those working outdoors. The SunHat serves a dual purpose: it functions as a protective hat and as a tool for health monitoring, thus empowering workers with information about their exposure levels.
TNE: That’s truly innovative! I understand that your invention has been selected for the Hall of Inventors Cearense 2024. What does this recognition mean for you and your team?
LGC: Being selected among the 20 inventions is an honor and also validation of our work. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our project to a broader audience at the Knowledge Fair in Fortaleza. We hope to attract attention not only from the scientific community but also from potential investors and partners who can help us bring the SunHat to market.
CS: Yes, and it also emphasizes the importance of teamwork in research and innovation. Our collaboration brought together expertise from different fields, which was fundamental in developing this project.
TNE: Collaboration is definitely key in such innovative endeavors. Aside from the technology embedded in the SunHat, how does it aim to educate and promote awareness about sun safety among rural workers?
CS: We incorporated a simple interface that connects to an app, allowing users to receive real-time data on their sun exposure. This user-friendly technology encourages proactive health management, enabling workers to track their exposure and take necessary precautions, such as seeking shade or reapplying sunscreen.
LGC: Furthermore, we plan to carry out educational campaigns alongside the deployment of the hats. Informing rural communities about the risks associated with sun exposure is crucial, and we aim to provide them with the tools to protect themselves while they work.
TNE: It sounds like you’re not just providing a product but also fostering a community of informed users. With the Hall of Inventors event coming up, what are your hopes for the future of the SunHat?
LGC: Our primary hope is to secure partnerships that will help us scale production. We envision the SunHat reaching various agricultural sectors across Brazil and beyond, ultimately improving the health and safety of countless workers.
CS: Additionally, we aspire to inspire more inventions that address workers’ rights and health safety concerns. The SunHat is just the beginning for us, and we hope to ignite a passion for innovation that prioritizes worker welfare.
TNE: Inspiring indeed! Thank you, Caíke and Luís, for sharing your time and insights. It’s exciting to see such impactful innovation in action. We wish you all the best at the Hall of Inventors and in your future endeavors.
CS: Thank you!
LGC: Thank you for having us!
TNE: And to our listeners, stay tuned for more updates on innovations that change lives!