From Chips to Multimodal Sensing in Wearables—Hardware Enabled AI
ABSTRACT
The artificial intelligence (AI) will increasingly be applied in the healthcare to make transfer from treatment-based protocols towards predictive and personalized medicine. A number of AI solutions have been introduced, but a considerable amount of potential that current sensor technologies enable remains yet unused. Wearable devices with multimodal time-synchronized data collection enable a significant increase in the available data to be applied in AI-based healthcare solutions. Though wearable technology has existed already for over 40 years, the key parameters of personalized monitoring still comprise electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate. Although they are highly relevant, the advancements in electronics, photonics and MEMS technologies have made it possible to realize multimodal data collection by integrating sensor chips or micromodules on flexible or even stretchable carriers. The hybrid integration enables a small footprint with maximized user comfortability. The modalities can include, for example, hyperspectral and ultrasound sensing for continuous hemodynamic monitoring, and electrochemical sensing of sweat composition for stress biomarker detection. Depending on the nature of the intended use, the lifespan of a multimodal sensor device can vary from being disposable to lasting for years. Due to the importance of sustainability, it is essential to make life cycle assessment for the envisioned concepts. Especially in the case of short-term usage, the volume of recyclable or compostable materials should be maximized.
BIOGRAPHY
Jussi Särkkä earned his Master of Science degree from the Helsinki University of Technology in 2000, majoring in Electronics Materials and Production Technologies. He also obtained his Doctor of Science degree from the University of Oulu in 2008, with the main subject being Microelectronics and Materials Physics.
Dr. Särkkä started his industrial career in Nokia Networks, in where he was responsible for the production capability creation of the telecom radio and baseband units with high volume and high-quality. Later in his career he joined Nokia Radio R&D business unit, where he led telecom products hardware and software integration and verification teams in multiple continents and countries.
Dr. Särkkä has worked for 5 years at Bittium Biosignals, developing medical devices and software for EU (MDD & MDR) and US (FDA) markets as the responsible research and development director, in where he ensured hardware and software development of the ECG, EEG and sleep apnea devices and analysis software solutions.
He joined the VTT – Technical Research Centre of Finland as the Healtech Lead in early 2024. Dr. Särkkä leads and guides the VTT's Sensing Solutions research area, where they develop and use advanced technologies on printed intelligence, biosensors, human sensing and optical instrumentation to address global challenges in renewing electronics and photonics industry as well as enhancing personal health and wellness.
Dr. Särkkä has got 25 years of experience in developing new technologies.