Latest news with #Lu
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
This Wireless E-Tattoo Decodes Brainwaves To Monitor And Predict Mental Strain
Mental well-being has become a crucial concern in today's fast-paced world, with rising stress and lifestyle demands impacting nearly every aspect of life. Now, researchers have developed a groundbreaking temporary tattoo that can measure mental strain by decoding brainwaves, offering a lightweight, wireless alternative to bulky headgear. Published May 29 in the Cell Press journal Device, the study introduces a non-permanent wireless forehead e-tattoo that decodes brainwaves to measure mental strain without bulky headgear. This technology may help track the mental workload of workers like air traffic controllers and truck drivers, whose lapses in focus can have serious consequences. "Technology is developing faster than human evolution. Our brain capacity cannot keep up and can easily get overloaded," says Nanshu Lu, the study's author, from the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) in a statement."There is an optimal mental workload for optimal performance, which differs from person to person." Humans perform best in a cognitive Goldilocks zone, neither overwhelmed nor bored. Finding that balance is key to optimal performance. Current mental workload assessment relies on the NASA Task Load Index, a lengthy and subjective survey participants complete after performing tasks. The e-tattoo offers an objective alternative by analysing electrical activity from the brain and eye movement in processes known as electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG). Unlike EEG caps that are bulky with dangling wires and lathered with squishy gel, the wireless e-tattoo consists of a lightweight battery pack and paper-thin, sticker-like sensors. These sensors feature wavy loops and coils, a design that allows them to stretch and conform seamlessly to the skin for comfort and clear signals. "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," says Lu. "We measure participants' facial features to manufacture personalised e-tattoos to ensure that the sensors are always in the right location and receiving signals." The researchers tested the e-tattoo on six participants who completed a memory challenge that increased in difficulty. As mental load rose, participants showed higher activity in theta and delta brainwaves, signalling increased cognitive demand, while alpha and beta activity decreased, indicating mental fatigue. The results suggest that the device can detect when the brain is struggling. The device didn't stop at detection. It could also predict mental strain. The researchers trained a computer model to estimate mental workload based on signals from the e-tattoo, successfully distinguishing between different levels of mental workload. The results show that the device can potentially predict mental fatigue.
Yahoo
3 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
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Xiaomi reports record first-quarter revenue as it launches new electric SUV
China's Xiaomi on Tuesday reported record first-quarter revenue and profit, as the company said its ongoing shift towards higher-end products from smartphones to home appliances was already paying off. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 was 111.3 billion yuan ($15.48 billion), up 47% year-on-year and beating the 107.6 billion yuan average of 17 analyst estimates compiled by LSEG. Adjusted net profit rose above 10 billion yuan for the first time, jumping 65% year-on-year to 10.7 billion yuan, ahead of the average estimate of 8.96 billion yuan, according to LSEG data. Xiaomi President Lu Weibing told a conference call with reporters that Xiaomi's strategy to focus on high-end products had yielded positive results. The world's third-largest smartphone maker, whose product lines also extend to cars, announced its latest electric SUV, the YU7, last week, which it will start selling in July. Lu said feedback on the YU7 indicated it could have a broader target market than its previous model, the SU7. The company did not disclose the price of the YU7 but suggested its better configurations should make the car 60,000-70,000 yuan more expensive than Tesla's best-selling Model Y, which is expected to be its strongest competitor and is priced from 263,500 yuan ($36,574). Xiaomi's EV business generated 18.1 billion yuan in revenue during the first quarter, delivering 75,869 SU7 sedans. It posted an adjusted net loss related to its EV and other new initiatives of 0.5 billion yuan. Its new EV orders have fallen since a fatal highway crash at the end of March involving an SU7 in driving-assistance mode, analysts have said. Its problems have been compounded by customer complaints of false advertising. Xiaomi apologised earlier this month for "not clear enough" marketing. Still, the company's shares have rebounded since April, giving it a market value of about $170 billion, higher than the roughly $161 billion commanded by BYD , China's biggest EV maker, LSEG data show. Xiaomi's first-quarter global smartphone shipments rose 3% from a year earlier to 41.8 million handsets, ranking it third globally, with a market share of 14.1%, according to its latest financial report citing data from researcher Canalys.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Xiaomi reports record first-quarter revenue as it launches new electric SUV
China's Xiaomi on Tuesday reported record first-quarter revenue and profit, as the company said its ongoing shift towards higher-end products from smartphones to home appliances was already paying off. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 was 111.3 billion yuan ($15.48 billion), up 47% year-on-year and beating the 107.6 billion yuan average of 17 analyst estimates compiled by LSEG. Adjusted net profit rose above 10 billion yuan for the first time, jumping 65% year-on-year to 10.7 billion yuan, ahead of the average estimate of 8.96 billion yuan, according to LSEG data. Xiaomi President Lu Weibing told a conference call with reporters that Xiaomi's strategy to focus on high-end products had yielded positive results. The world's third-largest smartphone maker, whose product lines also extend to cars, announced its latest electric SUV, the YU7, last week, which it will start selling in July. Lu said feedback on the YU7 indicated it could have a broader target market than its previous model, the SU7. The company did not disclose the price of the YU7 but suggested its better configurations should make the car 60,000-70,000 yuan more expensive than Tesla's best-selling Model Y, which is expected to be its strongest competitor and is priced from 263,500 yuan ($36,574). Xiaomi's EV business generated 18.1 billion yuan in revenue during the first quarter, delivering 75,869 SU7 sedans. It posted an adjusted net loss related to its EV and other new initiatives of 0.5 billion yuan. Its new EV orders have fallen since a fatal highway crash at the end of March involving an SU7 in driving-assistance mode, analysts have said. Its problems have been compounded by customer complaints of false advertising. Xiaomi apologised earlier this month for 'not clear enough' marketing. Still, the company's shares have rebounded since April, giving it a market value of about $170 billion, higher than the roughly $161 billion commanded by BYD, China's biggest EV maker, LSEG data show. Xiaomi's first-quarter global smartphone shipments rose 3% from a year earlier to 41.8 million handsets, ranking it third globally, with a market share of 14.1%, according to its latest financial report citing data from researcher Canalys. ($1 = 7.1920 Chinese yuan renminbi)
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Xiaomi rides high with record Q1 and new electric SUV to rival Tesla
China's Xiaomi on Tuesday reported record first-quarter revenue and profit, as the company said its ongoing shift towards higher-end products from smartphones to home appliances was already paying off. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31 was 111.3-billion yuan (R276.60bn), up 47% year-on-year and beating the 107.6-billion yuan (R266.87bn) average of 17 analyst estimates compiled by LSEG. Adjusted net profit rose above 10-billion yuan (R24.80bn) for the first time, jumping 65% year-on-year to 10.7-billion yuan (R26.54bn), ahead of the average estimate of 8.96-billion yuan (R22.22bn), according to LSEG data. Xiaomi president Lu Weibing told a conference call with reporters that Xiaomi's strategy to focus on high-end products had yielded positive results. The world's third-largest smartphone maker, whose product lines also extend to cars, announced its latest electric SUV, the YU7, last week, which it will start selling in July. Lu said feedback on the YU7 indicated it could have a broader target market than its previous model, the SU7.
