Scientists Create E-Tattoo To Detect Mental Fatigue

Scientists from the University of Texas in the United States have developed a forehead e-tattoo to estimate mental workload. The low-cost system includes sensors that can help monitor mental fatigue in workers in high-stakes positions.

According to a paper published in the journal Device on Thursday, researchers developed a prototype of the tattoo sticker at a low cost and demonstrated that it can support cognitive monitoring more effectively than conventional systems. The sticker offers a more practical solution, especially when compared to traditional devices used for electrooculography (EOG) or electroencephalography (EEG).

“This study introduces a wireless, ultra-thin forehead e-tattoo that enables high-fidelity EEG and EOG monitoring while maintaining comfort, stability, and motion resistance,” states the document. “Integrated with a flexible printed circuit for on-device processing and wireless transmission, this system provides a minimally obtrusive and long-lasting solution for ambulatory cognitive monitoring.”

The scientists ran multiple tests with six participants to validate the e-tattoo’s capabilities, including the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and successfully determined the participants’ real-time cognitive states using a machine learning model specifically trained for this purpose.

Engineers develop e-tattoo for the forehead that tracks brainwaves to predict burnout and mental overload. https://t.co/ZiZNlRS1LR

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“Our work presents a breakthrough in wearable neurotechnology, offering a scalable, cost-effective, and user-friendly approach to continuous mental workload assessment,” wrote the scientists. “Future applications could include real-time cognitive load monitoring in pilots, operators, and healthcare professionals, advancing the field of human-machine interaction and personalized cognitive augmentation.”

The experts also acknowledged that, while they are content with the forehead e-tattoo, the device can be optimized and improved—such as more breathable materials for cases with excessive sweat and the compatibility of the APC-GPU electrodes with hair.

However, the researchers believe that the e-tattoo has the potential to help many people and see its usefulness in fields where workers need to maintain good mental health in order to make important decisions that can affect the lives of others or processes with significant consequences.

The new generative artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are helping scientists find practical solutions to current problems and make new discoveries about the human body. Future house, the non-profit organization, recently launched AI Scientist, a program with four AI agents to help researchers accelerate processes and make new scientific discoveries.