Researchers have developed a novel electronic tattoo, or “e-tattoo,” designed to monitor mental workload in high-stress professions by tracking brain activity and cognitive performance.
In an innovative breakthrough, scientists have introduced a wire forehead electronic tattoo, or “e-tattoo,” that measures brain activity and cognitive performance. This device aims to assist individuals in high-pressure work environments by enabling them to monitor their brainwaves and cognitive load.
The research, published in the journal Device, highlights the e-tattoo as a more cost-effective and user-friendly method for tracking mental workload. Dr. Nanshu Lu, the senior author of the study from the University of Texas at Austin, emphasized the importance of mental workload in human-in-the-loop systems, noting its direct impact on cognitive performance and decision-making.
Dr. Lu explained that the motivation behind developing this device stems from the needs of professionals in high-demand fields, such as pilots, air traffic controllers, doctors, and emergency dispatchers. The e-tattoo could also benefit emergency room doctors and operators of robots and drones, providing valuable insights for training and performance enhancement.
One of the primary objectives of the study was to devise a method for measuring cognitive fatigue in high-stakes and mentally taxing careers. The e-tattoo is designed to be temporarily affixed to the forehead and is notably smaller than existing devices currently on the market.
The device operates using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrooculogram (EOG) technology to capture both brain waves and eye movements. Traditional EEG and EOG machines tend to be bulky and expensive, but the e-tattoo presents a compact and cost-effective alternative.
Dr. Lu stated, “We propose a wireless forehead EEG and EOG sensor designed to be as thin and conformable to the skin as a temporary tattoo sticker, which is referred to as a forehead e-tattoo.” She further noted that understanding human mental workload is crucial in the realms of human-machine interaction and ergonomics due to its significant effect on cognitive performance.
The study involved six participants who were tasked with identifying letters displayed on a screen. The letters appeared one at a time in various locations, and participants were instructed to click a mouse if either the letter or its position matched a previously shown letter. Each participant completed the task multiple times, with varying levels of difficulty.
The researchers observed that as the tasks increased in complexity, the brainwave patterns detected by the e-tattoo indicated a corresponding rise in mental workload. The device is composed of a battery pack, reusable chips, and a disposable sensor, making it a practical option for ongoing use.
Currently, the e-tattoo exists as a laboratory prototype. Dr. Lu noted that before it can be commercialized, further development is necessary, including real-time mental workload decoding and validation across a larger and more diverse group of participants in realistic settings. The prototype is estimated to cost around $200.
As this technology evolves, it holds the potential to significantly enhance the ability of professionals in high-stress jobs to manage their cognitive load, ultimately improving performance and decision-making in critical situations.
Source: Original article