We have heard of smartwatches and even smart rings, but what about smart earrings? Researchers from the University of Washington have developed a new device that can monitor your health by measuring your earlobe temperature.
The device, called Thermal Earring, is a wireless wearable that can detect various physiological and psychological states, such as stress, eating, exercise, and ovulation. Unlike smartwatches, which can be inaccurate or uncomfortable, the smart earring can sense skin temperature more reliably and discreetly.
The smart earring is about the size and shape of a paperclip and has a battery life of up to 28 days. It consists of a magnetic clip that attaches a temperature sensor to your ear and another sensor that hangs below it to estimate the room temperature.
The device can also be customized with different designs and materials, such as resin or gemstones, without negatively affecting functionality.
The smart earring uses a low-power Bluetooth advertising mode to communicate with your smartphone or other devices. It sends signals that it is ready to pair, but does not actually pair until you open an accompanying app. The device reads and sends the temperature data, then goes into deep sleep mode to save power.
The Thermal Earring is still in the early stages of research and development. The researchers need to collect more data and test their models more before they can release the device for public use.
However, they have already shown that the device can outperform a smartwatch at sensing skin temperature during periods of rest.
“I wear a smartwatch to track my personal health, but I’ve found that a lot of people think smartwatches are unfashionable or bulky and uncomfortable,” said co-lead author Qiuyue (Shirley) Xue, a UW doctoral student in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, in a press release.
“Eventually, I want to develop a jewelry set for health monitoring. The earrings would sense activity and health metrics such as temperature and heart rate, while a necklace might serve as an electrocardiogram monitor for more effective heart health data,” adds Xue.
Smart earrings could be the next big thing in wearable technology, offering a discreet and stylish way to keep track of your health and wellness. It’s just one example of how researchers are exploring new possibilities for integrating technology into our everyday accessories.
