Engineers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a groundbreaking technology that could transform the lives of people who have lost their voices due to conditions such as laryngeal cancer surgeries or dysfunctional vocal cords.
The innovative device is a wearable, non-invasive and user-friendly solution that harnesses bioelectric signals from the larynx muscles to produce articulate speech with remarkable accuracy.
A new hope for those without a voice
A new device featured in the renowned journal “Nature Communications” has two key components: a self-powered sensing part and an actuating part. The sensing part uses magnetoelastic technology to detect movements of the laryngeal muscles which are thenconverted into electrical signals processed by a sophisticated machine-learning algorithm.
This algorithm plays a crucial role in interpreting and translating the electrical signals into understandable speech signals, ensuring accurate and natural-sounding output.Meanwhile, the actuation component of the device supplies the necessary current to the motor which transforms the electrical signals into articulate speech.
The device’s seamless integration of sensing and actuation components enables real-time communication, empowering users to express themselves clearly and confidently.Unlike traditional communication aids which often rely on external voice synthesizers or invasive procedures, this wearable device offers a more discreet and convenient solution for individuals with communication challenges.
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Its compact size and skin-friendly materials ensure comfort and ease of use, allowing users to integrate it seamlessly into their daily lives.The unveiling of this transformative technology marks a significant milestone in assistive communication devices. It offers promising solutions that could transform how we communicate and enhance the quality of life for those affected by such conditions.
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