Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in partnership with Ohio State University, USA, have created an affordable underwater vibration sensor that can convert exhaled breath from the mouth into vocal commands. The apparatus, developed on a laboratory scale for merely Rs. 3000 provides an innovative communication tool for those with voice impairments.

The study, recently released in the esteemed journal Advanced Functional Materials, was conducted by Prof. Uttam Manna from the Department of Chemistry at IIT Guwahati. The research paper was co-written by his scholars Debasmita Sarkar, Rajan Singh, Anirban Phukan, and Priyam Mondal, in collaboration with Prof. Roy P. Paily from the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at IIT Guwahati.

The team from Ohio State University comprised Prof. Xiaoguang Wang and Ufuoma I. Kara. Voice recognition has become essential in everyday life, driving the functionality of smartphones, smart home gadgets, and appliances. Nevertheless, countless individuals with harmed or impaired vocal cords continue to be left out of this digital transformation. Research shows that a large population of children and young adults between 3 and 21 years old experience voice disabilities, highlighting the critical demand for inclusive options.

To fill this gap, the IIT Guwahati research team discovered a method to utilize the faint airflows generated when an individual tries to speak silently. These air currents, when blown across water, produce gentle ripples. The recently created underwater vibration sensor detects these disturbances at the air–water boundary and converts them into quantifiable electrical signals.

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The sensor, made from a porous sponge that is conductive and chemically reactive, operates alongside Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)—a form of deep learning model—to translate these signals into precise voice commands. This allows for contactless, hands-free interaction without requiring spoken words.

Prof. Uttam Manna states, “This is a unique material design that enables voice recognition by tracking the water wave created at the air-water interface when air is exhaled from the mouth."

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This method is expected to offer a workable option for interacting with individuals who have partially or completely impaired vocal cords. Apart from voice recognition, the sensor demonstrates potential for wider uses, such as fitness tracking, motion detection, and underwater communication systems. Significantly, the sensor showcased resilience, retaining stability even following prolonged underwater operation.