Tag Archives: Innovation

Your next touchscreen device will not be made from plastic, it will be woven into the sleeves

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We are already wearing clothing with heaters and Bluetooth speakers built in. But tech-infused clothing to do more than that still feels ugly and nerd chic. Changing that perspective for good and giving us a reason to believe that the next touchscreen interactive device will not be made from plastic- it will be woven into the sleeves- researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a touchscreen sewn into clothing.

The team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Tural Khudiyev from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at CDE, has created fiber that functions as pixels and senses touch at the same time. They have integrated 54 specialized fibers into a sleeve, which they described as the world’s first touchscreen built into a garment. The findings of their research were published in Nature on 21 October 2026.

Designers: NUS

Opening doors for tech-integrated clothing that does more than the usual heating and playing music features, it has a 96 x 54-pixel display on the sleeve, which can show images, play videos, and respond to touch. For the real-world mathematicians, it can also do some calculations.  While the techier have the option of pairing the touch-sensitive layer on their sleeve with another Bluetooth device, or interact with it over voice commands.

The scientists inform that this is not a screen integrated into the fabric, instead, it features electronics that are built right into the fibers themselves, ensuring that in addition to carrying out some of the functions on the mobile device in your pocket, it can also display body temperature readings when required. The fiber comprises a display and sensing capability, while an integrated touch-sensitive layer helps detect finger inputs and helps activate the corresponding pixels.

Talking about their creation, Asst Prof Khudiyev said, “What made this possible was our ability to construct the GUI system from electronic building blocks in fibre form — similar to traditional yarn, but with the sophisticated electronic functionality built directly into the fibres.” The display that has been created is for now a pretty low-resolution interface, so you cannot expect to play high-res videos on it just yet, but from what we are seeing, it can have a range of applications, such as health monitoring. Imagine a display on your garments that displays your physiological readings?

One concern that instantly comes to mind is how safe a garment GUI system like this one. According to the scientist behind the innovation have found that the display and touch sensitivity of the fabric remains almost unchanged after “50 machine-washing cycles and 1,000 bending cycles.” Also, the garment embedded with the electronics and the touch display remains flexible and breathable, making it usable for everyday wear. The team has not yet announced any possible release date for such a technology, but we already sense that the possibility of its release in the very near future is immense.

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AI-powered headphones for private conversations even in the most crowded places

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We’ve come a long way when it comes to noise isolation used in headphones and earbuds. The Active Noise Cancellation technology employed in current-generation audio accessories has reached a level that allows for adaptive ANC levels depending on the ambient noise environment. A handful of brands even go the distance to implement turning on transparency mode automatically when someone is talking to you. That’s a novelty, but still, you’ll hear the voices of other people in the vicinity if you are in a crowded environment.

That could change with an innovation that aims to eliminate any unwanted voices in the conversation. For instance, when you are talking to your pal on the street, you’ll only hear his voice, and all the other voices of people will be muted out. This innovation will not be helpful as a daily driver, but it will assist people with hearing impairments in hearing better. The initial prototype developed by the group of researchers at the University of Washington is known as the proactive hearing assistant,” and it filters the conversation partner’s voice only and looks promising.

Designer: University of Washington

The AI-powered headphones do all the filtering automatically without any manual input which is a potent functionality current-gen headphones can hugely benefit from. The speech isolating technology suppresses the voices that don’t match the pattern of turn-taking conversation. The AI model on board keeps a tab on the timing patterns and filters out anything that doesn’t fit. Application of this exciting tech could not only be limited to audio accessories and hearing aids but also come integrated with wearable tech like smart glasses or VR headsets. The most practical implementation could come in handy at crowded places where you have to really focus on the person in conversation.

According to Senior author Shyam Gollakota, “Our insight is that when we’re conversing with a specific group of people, our speech naturally follows a turn-taking rhythm. And we can train AI to predict and track those rhythms using only audio, without the need for implanting electrodes.” The current prototype supports one wearer and up to four other people which is impressive. More so when you factor in the lag-free overall experience. Currently, the team is testing two different models of the iteration: one that runs a “who spoke when” check to look for any overlap between the speakers, identifying who’s speaking when. The second model cleans the raw signal and then feeds real-time isolated audio to the user. The latter, so far, has scored well with the 11 participants in the study.

Currently, these basic over-ear headphones are loaded with extra microphones, and the team is working on slimming down the size. In conjunction with the research that is going on, small chips are being developed that run these AI models, so that they can be fitted inside hearing aids or earbuds. So, are we ready for a future where intelligent hearing is part of our daily drive?

 

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New Device Aims to Reduce Hospital Visits for Cancer Patients

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A revolutionary device designed to minimize hospital visits for cancer patients has received regulatory approval. Known as Liberty, this device enables patients to perform blood tests and upload the results from the comfort of their homes, without needing supervision.

Patient and Clinician Feedback

Users of the Liberty device report that it significantly reduces the need for exhausting hospital trips, while healthcare professionals believe it could enhance NHS efficiency. Following successful trials at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, the device is set to be rolled out at 12 NHS sites.

However, Cancer Research UK cautions that the device has only been tested on a limited number of patients. They emphasize the need for further trials to determine its broader applicability in cancer care.

Simplifying Blood Tests

Cancer treatment often requires frequent blood tests to monitor various health indicators, such as haemoglobin levels and white blood cell counts. Lynn Thompson, a trial patient who has been battling ovarian and bowel cancer since 2017, expressed relief at being able to perform some of these tests at home.

“The device has significantly reduced my stress and anxiety,” said the 52-year-old. “It’s incredibly simple to use, and it freed me from the physically and mentally draining routine of hospital visits, especially with my fear of needles.”

How It Works

The Liberty device, roughly the size of a small printer, allows patients to perform a simple finger-prick blood test. The analysis is then automatically sent to hospital teams. Dr. Sacha Howell, a senior lecturer in medical oncology at the University of Manchester, highlighted the potential benefits: increased patient convenience and cost savings for the NHS.

While The Christie Hospital has implemented local phlebotomy units to bring blood tests closer to patients’ homes, these units still require staffing. The ability for patients to conduct tests at home could lead to significant efficiencies.

Initial Trial Results

Early trials at The Christie Hospital show promising results, although the number of participants has been limited. The home study involved 22 patients, while regulatory approval trials included 470 patients. Cancer Research UK urges caution, noting that more extensive research is necessary to confirm the device’s effectiveness and clinical utility.

Future Prospects

Dr. Toby Basey-Fisher, CEO of Entia, the company behind Liberty, is optimistic about the device’s impact. “This is the world’s first blood count analyzer that patients can use at home,” he said. “By providing insights into patients’ health, it empowers healthcare professionals to address complications preemptively, reducing hospitalizations and treatment interruptions.”

As Liberty begins wider deployment, ongoing research and patient feedback will be crucial in assessing its long-term benefits and integration into standard cancer care practices.

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