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Past Webinar – Comprehending Human Behaviors using Wireless Sensing on Everyday Wearables – Cheng Zhang

https://youtu.be/glSoPDySruI?si=3vaFP2iwT9eKCDN2 Abstract: Despite the rapid advancement of AI, computers' ability to comprehend human behaviors remains limited. For instance, commodity computing devices still face challenges in understanding even basic human daily activities such as eating and drinking. The primary obstacle lies in the absence of suitable sensing technologies capable of capturing and interpreting high-quality behavioral data in everyday settings. In this presentation, I will share my research on the development of everyday wearables that are minimally-obtrusive, privacy-aware, and low-power, yet capable of capturing and comprehending various body movements and poses that humans employ in their everyday activities. First, I will show how these sensing technologies can empower various everyday wearable form factors, including wristbands, necklaces, earphones, headphones, and glasses, to track essential body postures, such as facial expressions, gaze, finger poses, limb poses, as well as…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Comprehending Human Behaviors using Wireless Sensing on Everyday Wearables – Cheng Zhang

Past Webinar – Sustainable Ear-Worn Systems for HCI and BCI: Design, Development, and Deployment – VP Nguyen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUKKp4Fazno&t=3s&pp=ygUNYTIgY29sbGVjdGl2ZQ%3D%3D Abstract: This talk introduces curiosity-driven research that explores science and technology to build the next generation of ear-worn computer systems that are robust, sustainable, cost-effective, low-burden, and socially acceptable, thereby unlocking new applications in human-computer interaction and brain-computer interface. Yet, the development of these systems brings significant challenges, demanding a rethinking of hardware and software frameworks, advanced ML algorithms, and significant interdisciplinary efforts. I will present our approaches to fill the gaps and build practical ear-worn computers, highlighted by motivating applications our lab has worked on: interactive computing and disease monitoring and intervention. Additionally, I will share insights gained from deploying these systems in various real-world settings and discuss future research directions.  Biography: VP Nguyen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science at the Manning College of Information & Computer Science at UMass Amherst…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Sustainable Ear-Worn Systems for HCI and BCI: Design, Development, and Deployment – VP Nguyen

Past Webinar – LLMs for Assistance in ADRD: From Word Retrieval to Caregiver Support, Archna Bhatia and Richard Curtis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wLqw42_kPg Overview:  This webinar comprises two presentations by Archie Bhatia from the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition and from Richard Curtis from Ripple Care.  They each discuss the work from their MassAITC a2 Pilot awards using LLMs to help with word retrieval for older adults with ADRD and to support ADRD Caregivers. Abstracts: Integrating LLMs and Other AI Technologies in an Intelligent Cognitive Assistant for Word Retrieval Support for Older Adults with ADRD Occasional inability to retrieve words accompanies aging, even for healthy people, and especially for those with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). This phenomenon tends to thrust people into social isolation, resulting in an increased rate of decline. In this webinar, we will discuss the development of an Intelligent Personalized Cognitive Assistant, MyWords!, an AI-enhanced application that provides real-time word retrieval…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – LLMs for Assistance in ADRD: From Word Retrieval to Caregiver Support, Archna Bhatia and Richard Curtis

Webinar – Advances in Cardiovascular Health Monitoring to Support Healthy Aging at Home, Anna Barnacka and Edward Wang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN7k8_8sTpA Overview:  This webinar comprises two presentations from Anna Barnacka of MindMics and Edward Wang of Billion Labs.  They each describe the work from their MassAITC a2 Pilot Award on addressing heart health monitoring.  Anna Barnacka delves into a patented in-ear IH technology that enables heart health monitoring through TWS earbuds and discusses future plans to make this technology accessible to all.  Edward Wang describes the VibroBP Smartphone app, the first app of its kind to use AHA-recommended oscillometry methods to ascertain BP and that does not require per-individual calibration. Abstracts: Hearing the Heart: Impact of MindMics' In-ear Infrasonic Hemodynography on Cardiac Health In this talk, we will highlight the MindMics Heart Health System, an advanced solution addressing heart health monitoring and aging-related challenges. We will delve into the patented in-ear IH technology that enables…

Continue ReadingWebinar – Advances in Cardiovascular Health Monitoring to Support Healthy Aging at Home, Anna Barnacka and Edward Wang

Webinar – Co-Designing Age Tech for Commercialization and Impact, Nicole Werner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNAi6kpy14w Abstract: This webinar explores how participatory co-design approaches can transform the development of technologies for older adults and their care partners, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Dr. Nicole Werner highlights how traditional “designer knows best” models often result in technologies that fail to meet real-world needs, leading to poor adoption and limited impact. Through compelling stories and examples, she demonstrates how human-centered design engages end users in every stage of development to create solutions that are usable, acceptable, and scalable. Attendees will learn about integrating co-design within the NIH Stage Model for behavioral intervention development, strategies for meaningful caregiver engagement, and methods to align user needs with commercialization goals. By the end of the session, participants will understand how to apply these principles to create age-inclusive technologies with greater potential…

Continue ReadingWebinar – Co-Designing Age Tech for Commercialization and Impact, Nicole Werner

Past Webinar – Aligning Technology with Dementia Caregiver Needs, Joseph E. Gaugler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVFTmTnYb4M Abstract: Various technologies are now available that purport to support families, friends, and other unpaid individuals who care for older adults living with dementia. Although such technologies may hold promise, it remains less clear whether these technologies are truly effective or aligned with the heterogeneity of dementia care, particularly dementia care that takes place in the community. This presentation will summarize recent findings and identify opportunities to utilize technology to advance the science and support of dementia care.upport them as they engage in this vital role. Biography: Joseph E. Gaugler, PhD, Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging in School of Public Health, Distinguished McKnight University Professor at University of Minnesota Joe Gaugler is the Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging in the School of Public Health…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Aligning Technology with Dementia Caregiver Needs, Joseph E. Gaugler

Webinar – Novel Technological Approaches for Detection of Cognitive and Functional Impairment: Drs. Larsen, Stamps, and Milburn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhT0iakfYE About the Speakers:  Erik Larsen, PhD, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development & Customer Success at Sonde Health Erik leads clinical data generation and development trials across the Sonde portfolio. He also ensures the successful implementation and growth of Sonde products with partners. His career spans research and management from several leading technology and research organizations. Erik most recently served as head of Translational Medicine at Decibel Therapeutics, where as an early employee, he built and led a team that conducted clinical research programs to support pharmaceutical interventions for treating hearing loss. Before Decibel, Erik was an Associate Principal at McKinsey & Co, where he served clients in pharmaceuticals, biotech and med tech on operations strategy, implementation and transformations. While at McKinsey, Erik led a collaboration with GS1 on research to quantify the business case…

Continue ReadingWebinar – Novel Technological Approaches for Detection of Cognitive and Functional Impairment: Drs. Larsen, Stamps, and Milburn