In 2022, 20% of Dutch workers experienced burnout symptoms, confirming a rising trend in recent years. Excessive workload is the main driver behind this number, as in the same year, 11 million work days were lost due to work stress. In addition to conventional treatment pathways, sensing and AI technology are offering the chance to detect and prevent mental problems from happening.
Founded by Ellen Wang and Dennis Ye, SenTech AI is pioneering mental performance monitoring using sensing technology and AI. The company developed a smart ring that measures mental stress, focus, and fatigue levels. Based on the wearable measurements, algorithms can identify when a critical condition happens. The company registered for the upcoming AI Pitch Competition but did not make the final cut. IO spoke with Wang, who told us more about her company and the technology it’s working on.
About the AI Pitch Competition
The AI Pitch Competition is a startup contest organized by the Province of North Brabant, Erasmus Enterprise, Braventure, and Innovation Origins. This competition challenges AI startups based in the region to pitch their ideas. The finals will happen on November 7, and a jury of AI experts will award cash prizes to the best three – the competition winner will receive €50,000. In the buildup to that day, different events will help the young entrepreneurs learn from experts, enlarge their network, and elevate their pitch.
What does SenTech AI do?
“We specialize in mental performance monitoring based on sensing technology and AI. Our goal is to help individuals, including athletes, corporate employees, and healthcare professionals, gain valuable insights into their mental well-being.”
Your sensing device is a ring. How does it work?
“Wearables on the market mainly focus on physical performance. Instead, our smart ring measures signals from the autonomic nervous system, providing a deeper understanding of brain activity. The ring incorporates a skin conductance sensor, which detects biosignals from the brain that reach the palm of the hand. This allows us to accurately measure mental fatigue and stress levels, even when approaching deadlines. Our machine learning models can then quantify these levels, assisting athletes in achieving peak performance and helping corporate employees prevent burnout.”
How does your tech help with finding the best treatment option?
“The usual procedure for mental wellness assessment relies on questionnaires. However, this kind of measurement may not provide the most accurate data. At SenTech, we are able not only to measure but also to visualize mental performance. This enables mental health professionals to better understand a person’s brain activity and prescribe treatment accordingly.”
Can you tell us more about how you developed your algorithms?
“We developed our algorithms using data we collected in experiments with people in real-life environments – rather than solely relying on lab conditions. People are sensibly affected by their surroundings; in those circumstances, we could capture authentic reactions to fatigue, stress, and focus. Our machine learning algorithms can learn from these patterns, classify them, and predict when a certain condition arises.”
How did the idea for SenTech AI come to be?
“The foundations for SenTech’s technology stem from my Ph.D. studies in Amsterdam. After completing my studies, I returned to China, where I could collaborate with several project partners to transfer my technology from the academic level to the industrial one. Thereafter, we validated our technology with an automotive company, assessing drivers’ fatigue. It was in 2022 that I came back to the Netherlands to establish the company last April officially.”
Why have you chosen to establish your company here?
“Although we operate globally, mental care is much more felt as a problem in Western Europe and in the United States. Therefore, we want to further develop intellectual property and expand the company here.”
Want to see the finalists pitch in real life? You can sign up for the finale happening on November 7 during AI Summit Brainport. There, you’ll be able to listen to the pitches of QurieGen, Dembrane, Tetractys, Biglife, EXERGY, Aevai Health, BrainBite, MoreMovement, Maps Untold, Owlitas AI, Touchpulse, Meterd. See you there!
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