Good news for people with vocal cord problems. A new, wearable patch, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could give them back their voice.
How does the AI-assisted patch work?
This thin, flexible device is about the size of a postage stamp.
Developed by UCLA engineers, it sticks comfortably to the wearer’s throat with double-sided tape. Here’s the magic: it uses tiny sensors to detect muscle movements in the larynx (voice box) and translates them into speech using machine learning.
With nearly 95% accuracy, this patch offers a significant improvement over existing options like bulky devices or invasive surgeries.
“This patch is a game-changer,” says Professor Jun Chen, who led the research. “It’s easy to wear, doesn’t require any surgery, and can help people communicate during treatment or recovery from voice disorders.”
Built-in power and special sensors
The patch itself is quite impressive. It has built-in power and uses special sensors to pick up on muscle movements. These movements are then converted into electrical signals by a clever machine learning algorithm, which then translates them into audible speech.
Early tests with healthy adults were very promising, achieving almost 95% accuracy. The researchers are now working to expand the patch’s vocabulary and test it further with people who have actual voice disorders.
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