# Project SAVI: Open-Source Tactile Neuro-Wearable for Dementia Care

Project SAVI is a frugal, non-invasive, closed-loop neuromodulation wearable engineered to alleviate behavioral symptoms of dementia, specifically motor restlessness, pacing, and agitation. By deploying targeted sensory-grounding vibrotactile patterns, the device bridges the gap between high-cost clinical neuromodulation systems and accessible, day-to-day dementia management under a target Bill of Materials (BOM) of $15.

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## 1. System Architecture & Hardware Implementation

* **Microcontroller & Compute:** Dual-core ESP32 executing onboard signal processing, threshold filtering, and closed-loop actuation logic.
* **Motion Sensing:** 6-axis IMU (MPU6050) sampling multi-axis inertial dynamics to distinguish intentional motor activities from repetitive, agitation-driven tremors or restless pacing.
* **Haptic Actuation & Sensory Gating:** Texas Instruments DRV2605L haptic driver coupled with a low-inertia linear resonant actuator (LRA), delivering precise vibrotactile frequencies (150–300 Hz) mapped to peripheral tactile mechanoreceptor sensitivity.
* **Enclosure & Biocompatibility:** Translucent, IP67-sealed medical-grade silicone housing with magnetic pogo-pin charging contacts, ensuring robust fluid resistance during routine handwashing and care tasks.

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## 2. Neurological Working Hypothesis

Motor restlessness and acute agitation in cognitive decline often coincide with sensory dysregulation and central nervous system hyperexcitability. Project SAVI delivers rhythmic, non-noxious somatosensory stimuli to the wrist, leveraging:
1. **Peripheral Sensory Gating:** Modulating afferent somatosensory input to downregulate acute motor hyperactivity.
2. **Tactile Grounding:** Providing consistent somatic cues that re-anchor spatial and somatic awareness without chemical sedation.

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## 3. Open Science & Hardware Framework

Project SAVI is dedicated to reproducibility, peer collaboration, and open scientific inquiry:

* **Hardware License:** CERN-OHL-P v2 (Permissive)
* **Firmware License:** MIT
* **Documentation & Research Notes:** CC BY 4.0
* **Source Repository:** https://github.com/sutharsan-gahm/project-savi

Community contributions, peer evaluation, and academic replication are welcome.