Vilo is a handheld device designed to provide comfort after pregnancy loss

University of Leeds student Lucia Guest has developed a therapeutic device to emotionally support people who have experienced miscarriage and stillbirths.

Vilo uses various sensory stimuli to help alleviate feelings of distress, isolation and being overwhelmed that can arise after pregnancy loss.

Designed to sit comfortably in the palm of the hand, the device offers a tactile alternative to psychological therapies that require people to talk about their emotions.

"There are times when it's difficult to find the words," Guest told Dezeen."By providing something to hold onto, physical tools can help people feel grounded, supported or connected – without the need to explain how they're feeling. They offer a quiet, private form of support to turn to whenever it's needed."

Guest wanted the device to have an understated appearance so that it could be used in public and private environments. As a result, it has a smooth, pebble-like form, interrupted only by slender light shafts.

Vilo has four modes: one that emanates warmth and gentle vibrations to regulate the senses, and another that gives off a steadily pulsing light sequence to encourage slow, mindful breathing.

There's also a mode that emits shifting rays of light, providing users with a grounding visual focus if they're unexpectedly overcome with negative emotion.

Finally, there's a mode where users can respond to different lights and vibrations with their partner, fostering contact and connection without the need for verbal communication.

The thinking behind each of these settings was informed by conversations that Guest had with bereaved parents.

"It often began with friends, which then extended through mutual connections to those who felt willing to speak and tell their stories," she explained.

"I also reached out to the charity Aching Arms, which then introduced me to a bereavement support worker. Both of them offered invaluable guidance, helping to facilitate wider research through their volunteers and networks."

Guest's Vilo appeared at this year's New Designers, where it was awarded the Joseph Stannah Award – a prize which celebrates designs that address real-world issues.

Other innovative creations at the fair included Morphopaedics, a customisable orthopaedic cast, and Take Your Pick, a family mealtime game intended to deter children from tech screens.

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