Eyeglass-based simultaneous eating, activity, and energy-expenditure sensing
The Automatic Ingestion Monitor (AIM-2) is an eyeglass-mounted wearable platform that passively tracks dietary intake and physical activity. By combining non-contact chewing sensors, gaze-aligned imagery, and advanced AI, it provides objective, real-time data on energy balance. This research-validated tool eliminates the need for manual self-reporting, offering a powerful, unobtrusive solution for nutritional studies, obesity research, and long-term health monitoring.
Overview
The Automatic Ingestion Monitor (AIM-2) is an eyeglass-mounted wearable platform designed for passive, objective monitoring of dietary intake and physical activity. By integrating a camera with inertial sensors and advanced deep learning, the system automatically detects eating episodes, characterizes meal microstructure (such as chew counts and rates), and estimates physical activity levels and energy expenditure. This technology removes the burden of manual self-reporting, providing researchers and healthcare providers with a continuous, accurate stream of behavioral data to study energy balance in free-living environments.
Technical specifications
- Integrated Sensing: Features a 5-megapixel gaze-aligned camera, 3D accelerometer, gyroscope, and a non-contact optical sensor that monitors the temporalis muscle to detect chewing and swallowing.
- Analytical Capabilities: Employs a multitask convolutional neural network (CNN) to process sensor signals and image data, enabling real-time classification of activity and ingestion events.
- Performance: Demonstrated up to 95% accuracy in physical activity recognition and significantly reduces false-positive rates for eating detection through sensor-image fusion.
- Usability: The device is lightweight, non-invasive, and can be attached to most eyeglass frames via simple adhesive, suitable for multi-day wear in daily life.
- Research Integration: Data is stored locally on an SD card, with ongoing research focusing on integrating this platform with continuous glucose monitors (CGM), sleep tracking, and dietary metadata.
Technology readiness level
The technology is at level 6. The AIM-2 has been developed and validated through extensive NIH-funded longitudinal research, including structured studies and community-based free-living trials. It is currently utilized as a robust research tool with published performance metrics in real-world environments, supporting further integration for potential...
About University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a large, comprehensive public research university in Tuscaloosa with a broad research portfolio and a strong pipeline of undergraduate and graduate talent. Industry engages through a centralized corporate partnership office that streamlines sponsored research and standard agreements. On‑campus prototyping and materials characterization facilities, shared cores, and project spaces support collaboration; a well‑established co‑op and internship program connects companies with students year‑round. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, DOE, DoD, and NIH. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup support, and coordinates with regional economic development partners near the state’s automotive manufacturing corridor.
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