But protecting personal space is an issue many people face every day, with or without a pandemic.
Thats why Dutch FashionTech designerAnouk Wipprechtcreated theProximity Dress.
The dress features a 3D-printed resin neck piece that holds the thermal sensor.
Since the fabric of the dress is soft and net-like, it wont hurt those that it touches.
It simply gives a gentle nudge (and reminder) to step back.
WipprechtsProximity Dressisnt the first of her designs to explore protecting personal space.
The designer previously created the roboticSpider Dress, where sensors triggered spider-like arms on the dress to move.
Both theSpider Dressand theProximity Dressare inspired by the Proxemics Theory of American anthropologist Edward T. Hall.
He studied the human use of space within the context of culture.
Check out theProximity Dressbelow and find more of Wipprechts fascinating fashion tech designs on herwebsiteandInstagram.
