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Researchers and designer Jiumo Wang have developed Oneiro, an interactive, conch-shaped device that transforms children’s breathing into calming visuals. Presented at Milan Design Week 2026, it aims to reduce anxiety before sleep studies in children with sleep apnea.
Jiumo Wang and a team of researchers have introduced Oneiro, a conch-shaped device designed to help children with sleep apnea reduce anxiety through interactive breathing exercises, unveiled at Milan Design Week 2026. This innovation aims to transform pre-examination stress into a calming, engaging experience for young patients.
Oneiro is a contact-free, hygienic device shaped like a conch shell that children blow into via a disposable mouthpiece. Their breath triggers real-time digital visuals that evolve on a screen, creating a calming virtual landscape. Developed in collaboration with ShanghaiTech University and the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, the device targets children aged four to thirteen diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is designed to replace anxiety-inducing waiting periods with an active, playful engagement that fosters emotional resilience and a sense of control.
The project, presented during Milan Design Week 2026 as part of the Archivi Futuri exhibition, explores how emotional care can be embedded into future healthcare environments. Wang states that Oneiro responds to psychological needs such as safety, autonomy, and emotional resilience by reframing breathing as a creative and calming act. The device’s design emphasizes hygiene and ease of integration into clinical settings, aiming to support families and improve communication between children and healthcare providers.
Why It Matters
This development matters because it introduces a new approach to pediatric healthcare that prioritizes emotional well-being and patient engagement. By transforming a common source of anxiety—medical examinations—into a playful, calming activity, Oneiro could improve children’s experiences and cooperation during sleep studies. It also exemplifies how emotionally intelligent technology can be integrated into clinical environments, potentially influencing future healthcare design to be more empathetic and patient-centered.
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Background
Obstructive Sleep Apnea affects many children and often requires sleep studies that can be stressful for young patients. Traditional waiting rooms and procedures can heighten anxiety, impacting both the child’s comfort and the accuracy of diagnoses. Previous efforts to reduce pediatric medical anxiety have included distraction techniques and child-friendly environments, but technological solutions like Oneiro represent a new frontier in emotionally responsive healthcare design. The project builds on ongoing research into how digital and interactive tools can support mental health and emotional resilience in clinical settings.
“By transforming breath into a medium for creation, we aim to turn anxiety into a moment of calm and accomplishment for children.”
— Jiumo Wang
“Oneiro offers a contact-free, hygienic way to engage children in calming digital visuals, reducing pre-examination stress.”
— Research team at ShanghaiTech University
children's calming digital visual device
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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear how widely Oneiro will be adopted in clinical practice or how effective it will be across diverse patient populations. Further testing and clinical trials are needed to evaluate its impact on reducing anxiety and improving sleep study outcomes.
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What’s Next
Next steps include pilot testing in hospitals, gathering feedback from children and healthcare providers, and exploring AI-driven personalization features. Researchers also plan to develop a digital emotional passport to track emotional responses over time and across visits.
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Key Questions
How does Oneiro work?
Children blow into a disposable mouthpiece that triggers digital visuals on a screen, transforming their breath into calming virtual landscapes in real time.
Is the device safe and hygienic?
Yes, it uses a disposable mouthpiece and contact-free interaction, making it hygienic and suitable for clinical environments.
Can this device be used for children with other medical conditions?
While designed for children with sleep apnea, the principles could be adapted for other pediatric anxiety or respiratory conditions, though further research is needed.
When will this technology be available in hospitals?
The device is currently in prototype and pilot testing stages; wider adoption will depend on further clinical validation and regulatory approval.
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