Japanese computer-aided testing

A tiny personal computer can be worn on the ear and controlled by a blink of an eye or a tongue clamp is being tested in Japan. The 17-gram cordless handset features Bluetooth connectivity and is equipped with a GPS, compass, rotary touch, battery, gauge, speaker and microphone.

"The ear-shaped computer also has a microchip and data storage area, allowing users to download software to their machines," said Kazuhiro Taniguchi, a professor at Hiroshima University. "We created this device with the idea that people could wear it like earrings ," Taniguchi said.

The system, expected to be available on Christmas 2015, can be connected to iPods or other devices and will allow users to control their facial expressions, such as frowning, firm tongue, nasal swelling or teeth grinding.

The device uses infrared sensors to track small movements within the ear canal, which can be distinguished from the movements of the mouth and eyes. Because it does not need to be hand-operated, the device is referred to as the 'third arm' of subjects such as nursing staff, climbers, motorcyclists, astronauts, or people with disabilities.

In addition, the second version of the device will be aimed at supporting older people from afar. This type of hearing aids will include the function of the hearing aid in addition to monitoring the health of the user, such as heart rate, body temperature, eating patterns and sleep patterns.

Not only that, it can also help early warning of an illness. A built-in accelerometer detector detects a fallen person automatically connects to a loved one's phone or makes an emergency call based on GPS data. Developers hope this product will be available in the market in April 2016.