There’s nothing worse than running through busy city streets in the heat – and WATI, a new smart wearable concept imagines a way to make it safer. Created by Royal College of Art student Iana Nikolova, WATI combines a small, circular device with a companion app to guide runners, cyclists and commuters through urban heat in real time.
Developed as part of an MA project at the Royal College of Art, WATI explores how wearable technology could help people adapt to extreme temperatures as cities grow hotter. This concept acts as a real-time heat guide, showing people how to move safely through the city.
Unlike most wearables that focus on distance, pace, steps, or heart rate, WATI’s concept prioritises environmental awareness. The companion app would map “cool routes” through the city using live weather data, thermal satellite imager, and crowdsourced information. Instead of alerting you to how hot it is, it would show you where it is safest to go.
The concept (per Yanko Design) draws from minimalist gadgets and brands like Nothing, as well as the structures language of 1980s IBM mainframes, while the proposed casing uses plant-based resin to reflect UV rays, combining sustainability with function.
In addition to navigation, WATI would provide real-time alerts for UV exposure, nearby shaded spots and hydration points – making it more of a city companion than a traditional fitness wearable. The device also tracks steps and distance.
While this is just a concept, it offers a glimpse into the future of wearables: devices that prioritise safety in an age of rising global temperatures.
Opinion
WATI feels like a glimpse of where wearables should be heading, not just counting steps, but caring about context. It turns heat into a navigable element rather than a hazard, which with the rising temperatures might become a godsend/video
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