"AI-Powered Throat Patch Enables Speech Without Vocal Cords"

A team of UCLA engineers has developed a soft, thin, stretchy wearable device that can be attached to the skin outside the throat to help people with dysfunctional vocal cords regain their voice function. The device, assisted by machine-learning technology, can detect movement in larynx muscles and translate those signals into audible speech with nearly 95% accuracy. This breakthrough offers a non-invasive option for individuals with voice disorders, providing assistance in communicating during the pre- and post-treatment recovery periods. The device is designed to be flexible, reusable, and has the potential to be further developed to assist people with speech disorders.