Monash researchers develop AI-powered wearable tech

Researchers from Monash University have developed an ultra-thin skin patch capable of monitoring 11 human health signs to help the wearer make more informed medical decisions.

The wearable patch is worn on the neck and is capable of measuring speech, neck movement, touch, breathing and heart rate.

The wearable technology combines nanotechnology and artificial intelligence based on specialised algorithms to automatically monitor multiple biometrics from a single signal. Monash University Associate Professor Zongyuan Ge, from the Faculty of Information Technology, has developed a frequency-based neural network called Deep Hybrid-Spectro for the emerging technology.

“As people all sound and act differently, the next step is to program and personalise the sensors using even more sophisticated algorithms so they can be tailored to individuals,” Ge said.

The sensor itself is made from laminated cracked platinum film, vertically aligned gold nanowires and a percolated gold nanowire film to remain thin enough to be worn like a second skin.

Lead researcher Professor Wenlong Cheng said the research could transform how health care is delivered.

“Emerging soft electronics have the potential to serve as second-skin-like wearable patches for monitoring human health vitals, designing perception robotics and bridging interactions between natural and artificial intelligence,” he said.

Image credit: iStock.com/metamorworks