IIT Guwahati Develops Rs. 3000 Underwater Sensor to Help Voice-Disabled People Communicate

Researchers from IIT Guwahati, in collaboration with Ohio State University, USA, have created an affordable underwater vibration sensor that can convert exhaled air into voice commands, offering a breakthrough solution for people with voice disabilities.

How Does It Work?

The device captures subtle airflows when a person tries to speak without sound. These airflows create tiny waves in water, which the sensor detects. Using AI (Convolutional Neural Networks), it translates these waves into electrical signals that can operate smart devices.

Sources: https://hubnetwork.in/

Key Features:

1. Costs only Rs. 3000 (lab-scale prototype)

2. No need for audible speech – works with exhaled air

3. Hands-free & contactless operation

4. Potential for exercise tracking & underwater communication

Who Developed It?

Led by: Prof. Uttam Manna (Dept. of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati) Team: Research scholars (Debasmita Sarkar, Rajan Singh, Anirban Phukan, Priyam Mondal) & Prof. Roy P. Paily (Dept. of EEE) Ohio State University: Prof. Xiaoguang Wang & Ufuoma I. Kara.

Sources: https://hubnetwork.in/

Why Is It Important?

Millions, including children (aged 3-21), suffer from voice disabilities and cannot use voice-controlled devices.This sensor could help them communicate and control smart gadgets without speaking.

Next Steps:

1. Clinical trials to train the AI with more voice-impaired users.

2. Seeking industry partnerships to make it widely available.

The research was published in Advanced Functional Materials, a top scientific journal. This innovation could revolutionize assistive technology, making digital access more inclusive for people with speech impairments.