Overview
The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) in India is set to conduct research on an AI-powered tool designed to detect emotions. This initiative follows a memorandum of understanding with Nihilent, a global IT consulting firm that developed the emotion detection platform known as Emoscape.
About the AI Tool
The Emoscape platform is based on the ancient Indian concept of Navarasa, which identifies nine fundamental emotions derived from traditional Indian performance arts. These emotions include:
- Love
- Joy
- Compassion
- Anger
- Courage
- Fear
- Disgust
- Wonder
- Calmness
The tool utilizes a camera to analyze subtle, three-dimensional upper-body movements to detect these emotions.
Importance of the Research
This technology is significant for several reasons:
- It has the potential to enhance emotional well-being.
- It can be integrated into personalized healthcare.
- It aims to bring emotional diagnostics into mainstream medical practice.
Dr. Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor of MUHS, emphasized that this collaboration merges traditional wisdom with modern technology to improve emotional health understanding.
Potential Applications
The AI tool could be beneficial in various areas, including:
- Non-communicable diseases
- Pediatric and adolescent care
- Maternal mental health
- Pre-surgical counseling
- Psychiatric conditions
Sandeep Pendurkar, Business Director at Nihilent, stated that this partnership aims to create a new framework for emotional well-being in medicine, enhancing personalized care and improving patient outcomes.
Internship Opportunities
As part of the agreement, Nihilent will provide summer internships for MUHS students, allowing them to gain exposure to AI applications in healthcare. MUHS has over 600 affiliated colleges focused on health science education in Maharashtra.
Broader Context
Camera-based emotion detection technology has been utilized in mental health diagnostics, particularly for the elderly. For instance, in 2021, Lions Befrienders in Singapore collaborated with Opsis to test an AI emotion analysis tool for assessing seniors’ mental states.
Additionally, recent research in Australia has shown that online therapy can assist patients with chronic pain in processing their emotions, demonstrating the growing intersection of technology and mental health care.