Speech Recognition Using Intelligent Piezoresistive Sensor Based on Polystyrene Sphere Microstructures

Abstract

Rapid advances in wearable sensing technology have demonstrated unprecedented opportunities for artificial intelligence. In comparison with the traditional hand-held electrolarynx, a wearable and intelligent artificial throat with sound-sensing ability is a more comfortable and versatile method to assist disabled people with communication. Herein, a piezoresistive sensor with a novel configuration is demonstrated, which consists of polystyrene (PS) spheres as microstructures sandwiched between silver nanowires and reduced graphene oxide layers. In fact, changes in the device's conducting patterns are obtained by spay-coating the various weight ratios and sizes of the PS microspheres, which is a fast and convenient way to establish microstructures for improving sensitivity. The wearable artificial throat device also exhibits high sensitivity, fast response time, and ultralow intensity level detection. Moreover, the device's excellent mechanical–electrical performance allows it to detect subtle throat vibrations that can be converted into controllable sounds. In this case, an intelligent artificial throat is achieved by combining a deep learning algorithm with a highly flexible piezoresistive sensor to successfully recognize five different words (help, sick, patient, doctor, and COVID) with an accuracy exceeding 96%. Herein, new opportunities in voice control as well as other human-machine interface applications are opened.