Welsh Students Develop AI-Powered Glasses to Help Dementia Patients Recognize Family Members

Students at a further education college in South East Wales have developed AI-powered glasses designed to help dementia patients recognize their loved ones, combining facial recognition technology with audio assistance to support memory recall. The innovation adds to a growing field of assistive technologies using artificial intelligence for healthcare applications.

The project originated from one student’s personal experiences with family members affected by dementia. The team established a theoretical company called ‘Theia: AR Technology,’ named after the Greek goddess of sight, with members taking on specific roles including founder, researcher, financial analyst, and project manager. While sharing a name with Theia Interactive, which develops biometric tracking tools for virtual reality, the student project remains an independent initiative.

The glasses feature a high-definition camera that scans for faces previously registered in a companion app, similar to systems used in healthcare authentication applications. When the system recognizes a registered individual, it communicates their identity to the wearer through a connected earpiece, helping reduce the emotional impact of memory loss for both patients and their families.

The student team conducted extensive research into memory loss issues affecting dementia patients and collaborated with the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) STEM Cymru. Their efforts earned them Gold CREST Awards from the British Science Association and the EESW South Wales award for the Project with the Most Commercial Potential.

“I have family members and friends with loved ones suffering from dementia,” said Evelyn, the project’s founder. “[I’m] aware of the lack of medical devices or treatments available to help individuals with dementia. [The glasses could] benefit the dementia patient as it reduces the emotional impact of memory loss.”

“The technology could provide dementia patients with greater independence in communication and alleviate the pressure of those around them,” said Teagan, who served as the project’s Researcher and Evaluator.

Jeremy Morgan, South Wales Coordinator for Engineering Education Scheme Wales, highlighted how the EESW 6th Form Project connects students with professional engineers to address real-world challenges over six-month periods.

Sources: The Herald Wales

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December 29, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team