Academics at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have developed an AI-powered emotion recognition tool, utilizing wearable sensors, that could significantly aid people with neurodiverse conditions like autism by providing a deeper understanding of emotional states.
Traditionally, emotion recognition has been complex, but advancements in vision processing and affordable wearable sensors have opened new avenues. UWS academics have combined these technologies to create an artificial intelligence system capable of accurately interpreting emotion-related signals through brain and facial analysis.
Professor Naeem Ramzan, Director of the Affective and Human Computing for SMART Environments Research Centre at UWS, explained the significance of this development: “Emotions are a fundamental aspect of the human experience, and understanding the signals that trigger different emotions can have a profound impact on various aspects of our lives.”
He further added, “Our recent study has led to the creation of comprehensive data which can be deployed with wearable technology – using multi-sensors and artificial intelligence – to provide a vital tool for emotion recognition. The data also provides a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals, enabling them to have a greater understanding of emotional triggers, and providing a reference point which could unlock new possibilities for advancements in health and wellbeing, education and security.”
The emotion recognition system is based on a multimodal database developed by UWS, which includes signals recorded during a study with audio-visual stimuli. Participants were recorded and self-assessed their emotional reactions to each stimulus in terms of reaction, stimulation, and dominance. These signals were captured using cameras and wearable, wireless equipment, making the technology suitable for everyday applications.
This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the care of individuals with neurodiverse conditions. By helping clinicians, therapists, and caregivers to better understand the emotional states of these individuals, it paves the way for improved mental health assessments and early interventions for emotional challenges. This, in turn, can lead to the development of personalized therapeutic interventions.
Moreover, the technology holds promise for creating augmented reality, virtual reality, or robotic applications tailored to assist individuals by understanding and expressing emotions.
