JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is developing a prototype for a sensor equipment that can measure outdoor heat conditions 12 hours in advance.
UTM Associate Professor Dr Mohd Fadhil Md Din said the prototype is believed to be the first of its kind in the world that can warn people on dangerously high temperatures that could lead to heat stroke.
"The prototype, called the Surrogate Human Sensor, has been in development since 2010.
"It provides 12-hour readings in advance. Readings are measured in an index system based on temperature, humidity, wind and other environmental conditions.
"A higher index of 5 will indicate that it is unsafe to do outdoor activities," Fadhil told a press conference at UTM today.
He said UTM hoped to come up with a pocket sensor version of the equipment next year.
Fadhil said hot weather in the country was critical and temperatures are expected to hit 40 degrees Celsius in a decade from now.
"By then, humans will gradually adapt, but senior citizens are prone to a heat stroke due to dehydration," he said.