Sangli Li, an interaction designer, has created a high-tech hat that attempts to defend the wearer from unwanted actions, such as a person suddenly shouting in your ear, or leaning in too close. Small movable fans that decorate the prototype, quickly unfold in a blocking manner, to cover the wearer's eyes, ears or chin, helping them to firmly express alarm without using any words.

Equipped with a number of sensors that detect noise, distance, motion and light, the hat was developed by Li as part of an Intel Design School Network sponsored project.

While we've seen dresses that reflect a person's mood, Li's goal with creating the hat, was to make an expressive wearable that didn't hesitate in instantly conveying the wearer's alarm at undesirable actions, liberating them from having to be polite about it. For instance, if someone tries to touch your cheek, a fan unfolding under the chin, forces them to withdraw.

Other fans, when triggered, shield the wearer's eyes or ears, if anyone startles them with a bright light or loud noise. The prototype lacks any filtering mechanism and isn't intended for daily use says Li; it's more of a haute couture-inspired creation that's designed to be playful about expressing the wearer's attitude.

The video below shows the prototype's defensive actions.

Source: Sangli Design via FastCoDesign