Advanced sensors to increase citizen safety
Wearable sensors capable of increasing the safety of those who wear them by monitoring the physiological signals emitted by the body. This is the result of joint research between the Department of Control and Computer Engineering-DAUIN and Sleep Advice Technologies (SAT), a company specialized in the intelligent processing of vital data from the body. The collaboration between the University and the company is a significant example of the results that can be achieved when research meets production.
The intense collaboration between Politecnico and SAT stems from the research frame initiated by DAUIN on methods on the “analysis and monitoring of human physiology using low-cost sensors to make everyday activities safer. Actions like travelling by car, working in hostile environments or in contexts where there is a high probability of accidents," explains Massimo Violante, professor at DAUIN and coordinator of the activities with the company.
The team patented an innovative algorithm that can predict microsleep by monitoring cardiorespiratory function. Studies conducted at Politecnico di Torino enabled the prediction of microsleep episodes 1 to 8 minutes before they occur. “It was an intense effort – emphasizes Professor Violante – which also involved a very important medical research component.”
The research and the resulting patent were made possible also thanks to the collaboration with SAT, which over time has made its relationship with the University a distinctive feature. “Our company was created in 2018 with the aim of maximizing the experience I gained during my years working at the Fiat Research Centre, developing highly innovative products", comments Riccardo Groppo, Chief Executive Officer of SAT, who now works on developing methods to interpret physiological signals in order to predict and prevent critical health and safety events, by monitoring fatigue, stress, blood alcohol concentration, and other indicators in real time.
“We feel we are a real example of what can be achieved when research and business work together towards shared goals,” emphasizes Groppo, citing the numerous collaboration tools that have been established, ranging from degree theses and PhD programs to European and international projects. Of particular importance is the work in the field of intellectual property, which has led to the development of a strategy to jointly exploit results and, consequently, to numerous patents.
Two good examples of achievements at the international level are the collaborations with Honda and Garmin. SAT contacted the Japanese company in Singapore through Politecnico, and afterwards sensors were commonly developed to improve driving assistance. Collaboration with Garmin Health was also intense, focused this time on wearable sensors, which ultimately led to winning the Garmin Health Award 2023, in Singapore.
Groppo and Violante agree on a fundamental aspect of the collaboration between the company and the university: "The value of the collaboration between our two institutions goes beyond the sum of its parts because it allows for a multiplication of results that would not be possible otherwise. We share the same DNA, grounded in research as a common working foundation.” Beyond this, Groppo adds: “Politecnico di Torino moves quickly and manages to be close to companies, even small ones: it is an excellent compromise between technical expertise and speed of execution, with the added value of supporting integration into a context of international collaboration".