A breakthrough in chip design may help smart wearables move closer to their long-promised potential. Researchers from Tsinghua University and Peking University in China have developed an ultra-thin, flexible AI designed to overcome the limits of today’s rigid, power-hungry wearable hardware.
The newly developed chip family, called FLEXI, is built to be thin, lightweight, and highly flexible. Unlike conventional chips, FLEXI can be folded thousands of times without damage. It is designed specifically for wearable use and integrates artificial intelligence directly into its structure.
Details of the development were published in a scientific journal, outlining how the chip can handle complex AI tasks. These include processing data from body sensors in real time to detect health conditions such as irregular heartbeats. This marks a shift from current wearable systems that rely heavily on external computing devices.
One of FLEXI’s key advantages is on-chip data processing. Instead of sending information to another computer for analysis, the chip processes data internally. AI functions are embedded directly into the circuitry, allowing memory components to perform calculations on stored data. This removes the need for data to travel across the chip, significantly reducing both time and power consumption.
To test real-world performance, researchers evaluated FLEXI using health data collected from a group of volunteers. The chip detected irregular heartbeats with 99.2% accuracy. It also tracked everyday physical activities such as walking and cycling with 97.4% accuracy.
Energy efficiency is another major highlight. During testing, FLEXI consumed less than 1% of the energy used by standard chips commonly found in wearables. Despite its advanced capabilities, the chip is also cost-effective. In mass production, FLEXI is expected to cost less than $1 per unit.
The researchers report that the chip delivers high yield, durability, and long-term operational stability. It is designed to withstand mechanical stress while maintaining consistent performance over time. With its low cost, flexibility, and integrated AI capabilities, FLEXI presents a robust solution for the next generation of smart wearables.
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