Electronic Skin: A Wearable Technology for Health Monitoring
Electronic skin is a flexible and thin material that can mimic the properties and functions of human skin. It can sense various stimuli, such as pressure, temperature, humidity, and chemical substances, and transmit the signals to a device or a system for processing and interpretation. Electronic skin has been developed for various applications, such as robotics, prosthetics, medicine, and entertainment. However, one of the most promising and emerging uses of electronic skin is for health monitoring and diagnosis[1][2][3][4][5].
Electronic skin can be worn by officers while they are working, either as a patch, a band, or a garment, depending on the body part and the parameter to be measured. For example, electronic skin can be attached to the chest to monitor the heart rate and the electrocardiogram (ECG), to the wrist to measure the blood pressure and the pulse, or to the forehead to detect the temperature and the stress level. Electronic skin can also be embedded with microfluidic channels and biosensors that can collect and analyze sweat, saliva, or blood samples, and detect biomarkers, such as glucose, lactate, cortisol, or oncRNAs, that can indicate the presence or the risk of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, or inflammation. Electronic skin can also be equipped with wireless communication and data storage capabilities, allowing the data to be transmitted and stored securely and remotely[6][7][8][9][10][11].
Artificial Intelligence: A Powerful Tool for Health Analysis and Feedback[12]
AI can be integrated with electronic skin in two ways: as a data analysis tool and as a feedback tool. As a data analysis tool, AI can use machine learning and deep learning techniques to process and interpret the large and complex data sets collected by the electronic skin sensors. AI can identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in the data, and provide insights and predictions about the health status and risks of the officers. For example, AI can analyze the ECG data and detect abnormal heart rhythms, such as arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation, that can indicate a potential heart attack or stroke[13]. AI can also analyze the oncRNAs in the blood samples and diagnose cancer well before the symptoms appear[14]. AI can also use natural language processing and sentiment analysis to understand the emotional and psychological state of the officers, based on their voice, speech, or text messages, and detect signs of depression, anxiety, or PTSD[15].
As a feedback tool, AI can use the results of the data analysis to provide real-time and personalized feedback and recommendations to the officers and their supervisors. AI can use natural language generation and speech synthesis to communicate with the officers through voice, text, or visual interfaces, and provide them with information, advice, or alerts about their health and wellness. For example, AI can inform the officers about their stress level and suggest them to take a break, meditate, work out , walk, or seek counseling[16]. AI can also alert the officers about their blood pressure or glucose level and advise them to take medication, exercise, or visit a doctor[17]. AI can also notify the supervisors about the health and performance of their subordinates and recommend them to intervene or support them as needed. For example, AI can inform the supervisors about an officer who is showing signs of fatigue, distraction, or aggression, and suggest them to assign them a different task, a partner, or a leave[18].
NASA-like System: A Comprehensive and Proactive Health Care Model
NASA is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States, which is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA is known for its rigorous and innovative approach to astronaut health care, which is based on the principle of maximizing the health and performance of the astronauts, as well as ensuring their safety and well-being, before, during, and after their missions[19]. NASA's health care model consists of four main components: selection, training, monitoring, and intervention.
Selection is the process of choosing the candidates who are most qualified and suitable for becoming astronauts, based on their physical, mental, and psychological characteristics. NASA conducts a series of tests and evaluations to assess the candidates' health, fitness, skills, and personality, and selects only those who meet the high standards and criteria[20]. Training is the process of preparing the selected candidates for their missions, by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to perform their tasks and cope with the challenges and risks they may encounter. NASA provides the astronauts with extensive and intensive training programs, which include physical, mental, and technical exercises, simulations, and scenarios, as well as education and counseling[21]. Monitoring is the process of observing and measuring the health and performance of the astronauts, both on Earth and in space, by using various tools and methods, such as sensors, cameras, surveys, and interviews. NASA collects and analyzes the data from the monitoring tools and methods, and uses them to evaluate the health and performance of the astronauts, as well as to identify and prevent any potential problems or issues. Intervention is the process of providing the astronauts with the appropriate and timely support and treatment, in case of any health or performance problems or issues[22], by using various tools and methods, such as medication, surgery, therapy, or coaching. NASA provides the astronauts with the best and most advanced health care services and resources, and tailors them to their individual needs and preferences[23].
This white paper suggests that law enforcement agencies can adopt and adapt the NASA model of health care for their officers, by using electronic skin and AI as the main tools and methods for monitoring and intervention. By following a NASA-like system of health care, officers can benefit from the following advantages:
Comprehensive and preventive health care: Officers can receive a holistic and proactive health care service, that covers both their physical and mental health, and that aims to prevent and treat diseases, rather than just to cure them[24][25].
Personalized and timely health care: Officers can receive a customized and responsive health care service, that is based on their individual data and feedback, and that provides them with the most suitable and effective support and treatment[26][27].
Continuous and remote health care: Officers can receive a constant and accessible health care service, that is available at any time and place, and that does not require them to visit a clinic or a hospital[28][29].
Cost-effective and efficient health care: Officers can receive a cheaper and faster health care service, that reduces the expenses and delays associated with traditional health care, and that improves the quality and outcomes of health care[30][31].
Conclusion
This white paper has presented the concept of electronic skin for officer wellness, which is inspired by the NASA model of astronaut health care. Electronic skin is a wearable technology that can monitor various physiological and environmental parameters, and transmit the data to an AI system that can analyze and provide feedback and recommendations to the officers and their supervisors. By following a NASA-like system of health care, officers can benefit from a comprehensive, preventive, personalized, timely, continuous, remote, cost-effective, and efficient health care service, that can improve their health, safety, performance, and accountability. This concept is based on the premise that officers are professionals and human beings, whose health has a direct impact on their decision process, and who should not be compromised by cheap and inadequate health care. I would like to conclude by saying cheap is expensive.
About the author
FPI Fellow Philip Lukens, is a retired police chief and a policing consultant who writes extensively about policing and artificial intelligence and about many other police-related issues. Click here to read his full bio. To read more of his commentary on AI in policing visit his Substack.
Notes
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