Researchers have developed a wearable ‘smart choker’ that uses a combination of flexible electronics and artificial intelligence techniques to allow people with speech impairments to communicate by detecting tiny movements in the throat.

The smart choker, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, incorporates electronic sensors in a soft, stretchable fabric, and is comfortable to wear. The device could be useful for people who have temporary or permanent speech impairments, whether due to laryngeal surgery, or conditions such as Parkinson’s, stroke or cerebral palsy.

By incorporating machine learning techniques, the smart choker can also successfully recognise differences in pronunciation, accent and vocabulary between users, reducing the amount of training required.

The choker is a type of technology known as a silent speech interface, which analyses non-vocal signals to decode speech in silent conditions – the user only needs to mouth the words in order for them to be captured. The captured speech signals can then be transferred to a computer or speaker to facilitate conversation.

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