Researchers have developed facial “electronic tattoos” to track mental workload in high-stress jobs

Dr. Nanchu Lu, senior author of the paper from University of Texas at AustinHe wrote that mental workload is a critical factor in human systems, directly affecting cognitive performance and decision making.

The device was driven by high-demand, high-risk jobs such as pilots, air traffic controllers, doctors and emergency dispatchers, Lu told Fox News Digital in an email.

Scientists say they have formulated a way to help people track their brain waves and brain usage. In a study published in the journal Device, the team of researchers wrote that they found a more cost-effective and simpler way to track mental workload. (Dr. Nanchu Lu)

Lu also said emergency physicians and robot/drone operators can also leverage this technology for training and performance improvement.

One of the goals of this study was to find a way to measure Cognitive fatigue In high influence and mentally exhausting professions.

Electronic tattoos are temporarily attached to a person’s forehead, and are smaller than current devices in use today.

According to the study, the device works using Electroencephalogram (EEG) And an electrooculogram (EOG) to measure brain waves and eye movements.

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While most EEG and EOG devices are bulky and expensive, this electronic tattoo offers a compact and cost-effective solution to this problem. (Istock)

While most EEG and EEG devices are bulky and expensive, e-tattoos offer a compact and cost-effective solution.

In this study, Lu wrote, “We propose a wireless forehead EEG and EOG sensor designed to be as thin and skin-compatible as a temporary tattoo sticker, which is referred to as Electronic tattoo for forehead“.

if He also added that “human mental workload is a critical factor in human-Machine interaction And the work environment due to its direct impact on humans Cognitive performance.“

The way the study was conducted was to show six participants a screen on which 20 letters appeared, one after the other, in different locations.

The team found that as tasks became more difficult, the different types of brainwaves detected showed shifts in activity consistent with a higher response to mental workload. (Istock)

Participants were asked to click the mouse if the same letter or its location matched a certain number of letters.

Each participant performed the task several times, corresponding to four levels of difficulty.

The team found that as tasks became more difficult, the different types of brainwaves detected showed shifts in activity consistent with a higher response to mental workload.

the The device consists of Reusable battery pack and chips with disposable sensor.

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The device is currently a laboratory prototype, Lu said.

“Before it is ready for commercialization, it will need further development, such as decoding the mental work on tattoos in real time and validating it on a larger number of people and in more realistic environments,” she said. “The prototype currently costs $200.”

Nick Butler is a Fox News digital correspondent. Do you have any tips? Contact Nick.Butler@Fox.com.

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