Latest news with #Device
The Verge
3 days ago
- Health
- The Verge
That's what researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are proposing in
Track your mental stress... with a forehead e-tattoo? this paper published in Device. In an interview with IEEE Spectrum, co-author Nanshu Lu says it's meant to help people in 'high-stakes, high-demand' jobs monitor their stress in real-time. The e-tattoo measures brainwaves and eye movements to decode mental workloads to help prevent people in stressful jobs from reaching a breaking point. Obviously, this is research and not an actual thing yet — but it sure does look cyberpunk.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New face tattoo protects your brain from working too hard, scientists say
A newly developed face tattoo can see when the brain is working too hard – which it probably is, according to the researchers who developed it. The new electronic device sits on the face and is able to measure mental strain, without the bulky headgear that might traditionally be used. The researchers who created it suggest that the technology could be used to track the mental workload of air traffic controllers, trick drivers and others who are required to keep intense concentration for long periods of time. Everyone works best by balancing the intensity of their thinking, ensuring that they are neither overwhelmed or bored. But it can be difficult to find that balance, and current work depends largely on a long study taken by participants after they have completed a task. "Technology is developing faster than human evolution. Our brain capacity cannot keep up and can easily get overloaded," said Nanshu Lu, the study's author, from the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). 'There is an optimal mental workload for optimal performance, which differs from person to person.' Researchers hope the 'e-tattoo' can help. It works by analysing electrical activity from the brain and eye movements. Doing so usually requires a complex cap attached by dangling wires, but the tattoo is a lightweight battery pack and sensors that stick to the skin. The thin and stretchy nature of the sensors means that they can fit around face shape of the person wearing it. That could mean that the results are actually better than those complicated and bulky caps, the creators say. 'What's surprising is those caps, while having more sensors for different regions of the brain, never get a perfect signal because everyone's head shape is different,' said Lu. 'We measure participants' facial features to manufacture personalized e-tattoos to ensure that the sensors are always in the right location and receiving signals.' To test the system, researchers put the tattoo on six participants who were then set a memory challenge that got progressively harder. As it did so and their mental load increased, the researchers could see the effects: theta and delta brainwaves increased, suggesting they were experiencing cognitive demand, and alpha and beta activity increased in line with their fatigue. Researchers hope those same methods can be used to understand when the brain is struggling. It might also be able to predict when that is happening, by helping train a computer model that can predict the load of a given activity. The research is described in a new paper, 'A Wireless Forehead E-tattoo for Mental Workload Estimation', published in the journal Device. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
E-Tattoos on Your Face Will Now Track How Hard You're Working
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Had a tough day? Soon you'll be able to prove it as researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking way to track when your brain is working too hard—with a face tattoo. In a study published today in the Cell Press journal Device, scientists introduced a wireless, temporary electronic forehead tattoo that monitors brainwaves to objectively measure mental workload. Designed to help change the way we monitor cognitive fatigue in high-stakes professions like air traffic control, truck driving and other focus-intensive roles, the tattoo analyses brain activity in real time, detecting how hard you are working. "Technology is developing faster than human evolution. Our brain capacity cannot keep up and can easily get overloaded," said Nanshu Lu, senior author of the study and professor at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). "There is an optimal mental workload for optimal performance, which differs from person to person." The device works by analyzing brain activity (via electroencephalogram, EEG) and eye movements (via electrooculogram, EOG) using ultrathin which are flexible sensors that stick comfortably to the skin. A picture of the e-tattoo device designed to measure mental strain. A picture of the e-tattoo device designed to measure mental strain. Device/Huh et al. Unlike traditional EEG caps—often bulky and expensive—the e-tattoo offers a compact and cost-effective solution. The full setup, including a battery pack and reusable chips, costs around $200, with each disposable sensor priced at about $20. "What's surprising is those caps, while having more sensors for different regions of the brain, never get a perfect signal because everyone's head shape is different," said Lu. "We measure participants' facial features to manufacture personalized e-tattoos to ensure that the sensors are always in the right location and receiving signals." In initial tests, six volunteers wore the tattoos while performing increasingly difficult memory tasks. The device accurately detected changes in brainwave patterns. Rising theta and delta waves indicated rising mental load, while a drop in alpha and beta activity pointed to fatigue. The team also trained a machine learning model to predict mental strain, hinting at future applications in real-time cognitive monitoring. Similar tools to measure mental load do exist, like the NASA Task Load Index which is designed to measure perceived workload during or after the performance of a task. But this requires the user to fill out a survey, making them more subjective and time-consuming. By contrast, the e-tattoo delivers live and objective data. Currently, the e-tattoo only works on hairless skin but there is work to try and make the device more accessible, combining it with ink that can work on hair and working to make the product useable at home. "Being low cost makes the device accessible," said author Luis Sentis from UT Austin. "One of my wishes is to turn the e-tattoo into a product we can wear at home." As AI and robotics play a growing role in modern workplaces, the team behind the e-tattoo believe tools like this will be key to maintaining human well-being in increasingly automated environments. "We've long monitored workers' physical health, tracking injuries and muscle strain," said Sentis. "Now we have the ability to monitor mental strain, which hasn't been tracked. This could fundamentally change how organizations ensure the overall well-being of their workforce." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about e-tattoos? Let us know via science@ Reference Huh, H., Shin, H., Li, H., Hirota, K., Hoang, C., Thangavel, S., D'Alessandro, M., Feltman, K. A., Sentis, L., & Lu, N. (2025). A wireless forehead e-tattoo for mental workload estimation. Device, 3.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists create first soft robots that can walk off machine that makes them
Scientists in Scotland have created the first soft robots that can walk straight out of the machines that make them. The flexible, four-legged devices were developed using a new 3D printing system, which could pave the way for the use of intelligent soft robotic systems with no electronic parts. Soft machines – made from compliant materials such as soft plastics – have huge potential for use in areas such as nuclear decommissioning, the biomedical sector and in space, researchers say. A lack of standardised design and manufacturing processes, expense and the need for specialist expertise has so far limited real-world use of the devices, experts say. A team from the University of Edinburgh sought to overcome these challenges by developing a low-cost, desktop 3D printing system for creating soft robots. READ MORE: Scottish tech company reveals plans to double job numbers Heriot-Watt team achieves a revolution in photonics Augmented reality tech transforming visits to Scottish castles to go global Their user-friendly setup can be assembled for less than £400 using off-the-shelf parts. The team demonstrated the capabilities of their new system by creating robots made solely from a soft plastic material and powered by air pressure. Once printed, the palm-sized devices are connected to a compressed air supply before walking out of the machine on which they were made. Building and operating the new system – known as the Flex Printer – requires little prior knowledge, with first-time users able to assemble it and begin making robots in just a few days, the team says. They have made their designs publicly available to broaden access to soft robotic technologies and to help foster collaboration and improvements to the system. Soft robot walks off machine (Image: University of Edinburgh) The findings are published in the journal Device, part of the prestigious Cell Press group of journals. The research was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The lead engineer on the project was Maks Gepner, with support from Jonah Mack, both PhD students in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The lead academic was Professor Adam A. Stokes, Head of the Institute for Bioengineering at The University of Edinburgh. Maks Gepner, of the University's Schools of Engineering and Informatics, said: 'It used to take years to figure out how to print using these materials. Using our new platform, anyone can now easily print things which were previously thought to be impossible. This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike. 'Our hope is that this technology will help drive the next wave of research breakthroughs. Without the long-standing manufacturing and design bottlenecks holding it back, we believe soft robotics is ready to make a major real-world impact."
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
World first soft robots walk off 3D printer that makes them
Scientists in Scotland have created the first soft robots that can walk straight out of the machines that make them. The flexible, four-legged devices were developed using a new 3D printing system, which could pave the way for the use of intelligent soft robotic systems with no electronic parts. Soft machines – made from compliant materials such as soft plastics – have huge potential for use in areas such as nuclear decommissioning, the biomedical sector and in space, researchers say. A lack of standardised design and manufacturing processes, expense and the need for specialist expertise has so far limited real-world use of the devices, experts say. A team from the University of Edinburgh sought to overcome these challenges by developing a low-cost, desktop 3D printing system for creating soft robots. READ MORE: Scottish tech company reveals plans to double job numbers Heriot-Watt team achieves a revolution in photonics Their user-friendly setup can be assembled for less than £400 using off-the-shelf parts. The team demonstrated the capabilities of their new system by creating robots made solely from a soft plastic material and powered by air pressure. Once printed, the palm-sized devices are connected to a compressed air supply before walking out of the machine on which they were made. Building and operating the new system – known as the Flex Printer – requires little prior knowledge, with first-time users able to assemble it and begin making robots in just a few days, the team says. They have made their designs publicly available to broaden access to soft robotic technologies and to help foster collaboration and improvements to the system. Soft robot walks off machine (Image: University of Edinburgh) The findings are published in the journal Device, part of the prestigious Cell Press group of journals. The research was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The lead engineer on the project was Maks Gepner, with support from Jonah Mack, both PhD students in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The lead academic was Professor Adam A. Stokes, Head of the Institute for Bioengineering at The University of Edinburgh. Maks Gepner, of the University's Schools of Engineering and Informatics, said: 'It used to take years to figure out how to print using these materials. Using our new platform, anyone can now easily print things which were previously thought to be impossible. This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike. 'Our hope is that this technology will help drive the next wave of research breakthroughs. Without the long-standing manufacturing and design bottlenecks holding it back, we believe soft robotics is ready to make a major real-world impact."
