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Scientists Create E-Tattoo to Detect Mental Fatigue
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Scientists from the University of Texas in the United States have developed a forehead e-tattoo to estimate mental workload. The low-cost system includes sensors that can help monitor mental fatigue in workers in high-stakes positions.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Scientists develop forehead e-tattoo to measure mental workload.
- The practical device could help monitor mental fatigue in workers high-stakes positions.
- Researchers trained machine-learning models to process the device’s data and provide accurate results.
According to a paper published in the journal Device on Thursday, researchers developed a prototype of the tattoo sticker at a low cost and demonstrated that it can support cognitive monitoring more effectively than conventional systems. The sticker offers a more practical solution, especially when compared to traditional devices used for electrooculography (EOG) or electroencephalography (EEG).
“This study introduces a wireless, ultra-thin forehead e-tattoo that enables high-fidelity EEG and EOG monitoring while maintaining comfort, stability, and motion resistance,” states the document. “Integrated with a flexible printed circuit for on-device processing and wireless transmission, this system provides a minimally obtrusive and long-lasting solution for ambulatory cognitive monitoring.”
The scientists ran multiple tests with six participants to validate the e-tattoo’s capabilities, including the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and successfully determined the participants’ real-time cognitive states using a machine learning model specifically trained for this purpose.
Engineers develop e-tattoo for the forehead that tracks brainwaves to predict burnout and mental overload. https://t.co/ZiZNlRS1LR — Interesting Engineering (@IntEngineering) May 29, 2025
“Our work presents a breakthrough in wearable neurotechnology, offering a scalable, cost-effective, and user-friendly approach to continuous mental workload assessment,” wrote the scientists. “Future applications could include real-time cognitive load monitoring in pilots, operators, and healthcare professionals, advancing the field of human-machine interaction and personalized cognitive augmentation.”
The experts also acknowledged that, while they are content with the forehead e-tattoo, the device can be optimized and improved—such as more breathable materials for cases with excessive sweat and the compatibility of the APC-GPU electrodes with hair.
However, the researchers believe that the e-tattoo has the potential to help many people and see its usefulness in fields where workers need to maintain good mental health in order to make important decisions that can affect the lives of others or processes with significant consequences.
The new generative artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are helping scientists find practical solutions to current problems and make new discoveries about the human body. Future house, the non-profit organization, recently launched AI Scientist , a program with four AI agents to help researchers accelerate processes and make new scientific discoveries.
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Grammarly Secures $1 Billion To Accelerate Its AI Platform
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
The tech company Grammarly announced on Thursday the closing of a $1 billion investment deal with the venture capital firm General Catalyst. The new investment will be used to develop the company’s AI productivity platform.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Grammarly secured a $1 billion investment deal with General Catalyst.
- The new CEO wants to adopt Coda’s AI technology and expand the customer base.
- The startup currently has 40 million daily users and generates $700 million in annual revenue.
According to the press release , Grammarly plans to scale its marketing and sales strategies and expand its customer base. At the moment, Grammarly has approximately 40 million daily users and generates $700 million in annual revenue.
In December, Grammarly announced the acquisition of Coda , a cloud-based productivity platform, marking a transformation from a writing assistant to a complex AI productivity platform. Coda’s former CEO, Shishir Mehrotra, is now Grammarly’s CEO, aligning with the strategic shift.
“Integrating Coda and Grammarly has unlocked tremendous potential for how people work and communicate,” said Mehrotra. “I’m energized by the innovation happening across our teams as Grammarly has become a productivity platform serving everyone from individual students to growing businesses to large enterprises.”
Mehrotra said that, with General Catalyst’s partnership, Grammarly will be able to scale more sustainably and faster, reaching more customers worldwide. The company will combine its businesses’ strategies to deliver broader services beyond its traditional grammar tools.
According to TechCrunch , the new investment is a non-dilutive financial deal, meaning Grammarly will repay it based on a percentage of revenue without giving up equity. This is considered a favorable strategy as it does not affect Grammarly’s valuation, set at $13 billion in 2021, though anonymous sources have mentioned it is significantly lower at present.
The agreement has been made through General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund (CVF), a capital pool designed to help mature startups—Grammarly is now 16 years old—access growth funding.
According to Reuters , Mehrotra said in an interview that they are considering a public offering, but don’t have any concrete plans at the moment. “I’m right now just focused on making sure we’re innovating with new products, growing as fast as we can. But when we feel ready, we’ll go public,” said the CEO.
General Catalyst recently invested $120 million in the Spanish company Factorial for its expansion in Europe.
