Imagine knowing exactly when you need to change your baby’s diaper, without a need to check or guess. A new ‘smart diaper’ designed by a team of Japanese researchers can do just that. The diaper is powered by flexible circuits that are thinner than a piece of plastic wrap, and have been implanted in the human body to monitor temperature and blood pressure in the past. The version of the sensor used in the diapers is organic and disposable, and is printed on film using inkjet technology. The sensors look for changes in pressure, temperature and – most importantly – wetness. If any of these triggers are hit, it sends a signal to an external monitoring device. The research team believes the sensors can be produced for no more than a few cents, so it wouldn’t drastically jack up the price of diapers. And since the sensors receive their power from that external monitoring device, they’re completely safe to have next to the skin with no risk for electrical shock.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.