Conducting human studies in a natural environment provides valuable insights into development and behaviour. We learn far more than is possible in controlled clinical settings. Being able to evaluate a baby’s interaction with the world within their natural surroundings allows analysis of how the brain matures and what influences certain behaviours as we become adults.
Currently, however, there is only limited data available to researchers beyond that collected in a laboratory setting. It was for this reason that associate professor Elena Geangu, and her team at the University of York (supported by collaborations with Newcastle University and Queen Mary University of London), set about developing the EgoActive platform.
A compact motoring system, with a heart activity sensor and head-mounted camera, it allows the scientific community to record and evaluate babies as they interact with the real world.
Developed by an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, neuroscientists, biomedical engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians, the EcoActive platform can process auditory and visual inputs. This includes detecting facial emotions and sounds such as crying.
The system has been recognised as one of the world’s most auspicious infant development research projects by the Wellcome Leap, which has awarded it funding from its 45M USD First 1000 days (1kD) programme.
Having developed the software and concept for the wearable technology the project still had a significant practical challenge to overcome. In order for the device to be effective, babies would need to be largely unaware that they were wearing them. This meant that the core components needed to be very lightweight, comfortable and unobtrusive.
This would involve embedding sensors, electronics and wireless connectivity within wearable devices – and there were no existing off-the-shelf solutions that would suitable for young children. While the interdisciplinary team had a broad range of expertise, finding an appropriate solution required a different set of skills.
Project leader Elena explains: “Because the wearable devices are for babies, we needed to make sure the casings were right in terms of design and material, due to it being in direct contact with the infants’ delicate skin and fragile body.
“My team had experience working with biomedical engineers, but not engineers with have that kind of expertise. We had an idea of how the design should look based on our experimental trials, but we needed external support to help take the incipient prototype to a design level where it could be professionally manufactured. We had the characteristics of the electronics and the elements contained within the devices, but when it came to the casings, we didn’t know how to design to the minutest of details.”
At this point, the EcoActive project team brought in consultants from Protolabs to collaborate on the final product design. As experts in product design and complex manufacturing requirements, Protolabs’ role would be to develop casings that would house the head mounted camera and heart activity sensor.
Selecting the right materials was crucial. As the casing needed to be as thin as possible for the heart activity sensor, the combined team decided it would be best to use Polypropelene (PP). The headband also contained PP but would also have a Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) element, which was crucial for providing comfort for infant wearers. LSR would allow the headband to gently bend around the child’s head while maintaining its shape, while providing electrical and heat insulating properties.
To develop an initial prototype, the team used an iterative design process which utilised 3D printing to verify the design, fit and mechanical behaviour of the parts in a cost effective way. It was also helpful that the materials in the additive manufacturing process were the same, or at least behaved in the same way, as those that would be used in the final manufactured products.
With a final design and working prototype, the team then used injection moulding to create an initial 3,500 units that could put into the field.
The team has already been using these units to collect data from participants in Sao Paulo in Brazil and York in the UK. The intention is to start sharing preliminary findings from this research with the scientific community at conferences in summer 2024 – with the full results set for publication in 2025.
The research could offer crucial information where development patterns are not typical – enabling scientists to draw insights on a range of disorders, such as anxiety, autism or other cognitive impairments. The knowledge gained may ultimately help to inform educational practices to help children reach the best outcomes in life – be that in their education, social interactions or their career.
Elena said: “Many scientists have already asked us whether they can have the EgoActive platform for their research. We know that scientists and practitioners really need these devices, so we have to figure out a way to distribute them. Our aim is to distribute the EgoActive platform within academic and professional communities.
“This type of initiative is at the core of University of York’s principles – a university for the public good. It seeks to promote collaboration beyond disciplinary boundaries, and with diverse people and entities from across society, in order to generate research synergies for lasting benefit to the society at large.”
