EC highlights Limassol-based SignalGeneriX’s ESSENCE project

Limassol-based SignalGeneriX, experts in DSP & Communications R&D, are collaborating with the Polytechnic University of Milan on ESSENCE, an AI-driven project recognised by the European Commission’s Innovation Radar for its market-ready innovation and strong potential.

ESSENCE monitors remotely elderly people for cognitive decline and primary school children for learning difficulties, automatically alerting clinicians or school authorities to enable early intervention. It uses voice analysis and AI algorithms to track cognitive and mood changes in seniors.

The project aims to create a new care model focused on tele-assistance, remote monitoring, and social inclusion. Targeting seniors and children aged 6-8, ESSENCE uses AI modules to detect gradual cognitive deterioration in seniors and identify atypical learning patterns in children. The initiative builds on previous EU-funded projects and was launched following an EU emergency COVID-19 call in 2020.

ESSENCE comprises two tailored ecosystems with professional interfaces, educational games, and virtual social rooms, tested with seniors in Spain and schoolchildren in Italy

In classrooms, the platform helps teachers observe and support children’s difficulties in reading, math, and writing through specially designed games and a patented smart ink pen. Data collected from hundreds of children enabled the development of learning models to spot areas needing attention. Teachers receive guidance on appropriate training and social activities based on these insights.

When challenges are detected, the system facilitates initial contact with clinicians through teleconsultation, helping standardize early detection and reassuring families.

For seniors, handwriting and voice data collected during phone calls feed AI models that accurately predict cognitive decline. Handwriting is used as a key indicator of both cognitive and physical health. Social interaction is encouraged through games played in virtual rooms, which helped participants form meaningful connections. Many seniors expressed a desire to continue using the platform beyond the project’s conclusion, with further development planned.

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