Can Wearables Decode Your Mood? Tokyo Scientists Think So!

Wearable technology has seen remarkable innovation in the past few years. From tracking steps and heart rates to monitoring advanced metrics like ECG, and blood pressure, smartwatches have become essential health tools. According to the latest reports, the next frontier in wearable tech may be emotional intelligence. Researchers have been exploring how devices can soon detect and interpret human emotions.

A team from Tokyo Metropolitan University even conducted groundbreaking research into skin conductance—a physiological response linked to emotional arousal. Their study was published in IEEE Access. It reveals how changes in the skin’s electrical properties can display emotional states like fear, joy, and sadness.

The Science Behind Emotional Detection

The latest research involved volunteers watching videos particularly designed to evoke specific emotions like fear, family bonding, and fun. Probes were attached to participants’ fingers with the help of which the scientists measured subtle changes in skin conductance caused by perspiration. For all those unaware, this phenomenon is tied to the body’s sympathetic nervous system and occurs within seconds of experiencing an emotional trigger.

The results highlighted that fear aroused the strongest skin conductance response, while emotions tied to family bonding produced a more gradual rise, merging feelings of joy and sadness. The study was based on just three emotional states. Let’s have a look:

Wearable Technology and Emotional Intelligence

Skin conductance measurement isn’t a technology limited to research labs. Fitbit devices, including the Sense smartwatch and Charge bands, feature electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors that measure sweat levels as an indicator of stress. These sensors were mainly used for stress management, showcasing the feasibility of integrating emotional analysis into consumer devices.

The researchers are quite optimistic. They stated:

“We are one step closer to devices knowing how we are feeling”

The implications of this technology are vast. Smartwatches fitted with emotional analysis can revolutionize mental health management, offering real-time insights into stress, anxiety, or mood swings. Imagine a device monitoring your physical health and also guiding you through moments of emotional distress. It will be amazing. Isn’t it?