EdUHK develops smart vest to help children with ADHD

Researchers at the Education University of Hong Kong have developed a smart vest that uses artificial intelligence and vibration prompts to help children with ADHD improve their focus and behavior.

The vest, created in collaboration with the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, identifies 14 common classroom and hyperactive behaviors through sensors. It was trained using over 147,000 simulated behavior samples.

When the sensors detect hyperactive movements, motors in the vest generate vibration similar to a mobile phone call, prompting the child to self-regulate. The device also records behavioral data.

In simulated classroom trials involving more than 40 primary school students aged 7 to 12, hyperactive movements decreased by 24 to 54 percent after vibration prompts. Students' focus and rule-following scores also improved by about 10 to 15 percent, with no significant discomfort reported.

The research team, led by associate professor Fu Hong, is now recruiting students for second-phase classroom testing and aims to launch the product within two years.