Google baby monitor warns parents BEFORE their baby wakes up and if the child is choking using AI
GOOGLE is working on an artificially intelligent baby monitor that warns parents five to 10 minutes before their baby starts crying or if its choking.
The device is being designed to use video streaming tech, audio recording and AI to determine when a baby is going to wake up or if its in distress.
The tech giant filed a patent for this device last year but it was only made public this week.
The monitor is also being designed to warn parents if their baby is climbing out of its crib or in distress but not crying.
For example, it aims to warn if a baby is choking or getting tangled in bedsheets.
AI is used to establish what constitutes normal movements and baby sounds and what doesn't.
Google also describes an "eye state analysis" feature in its patent, which looks at the baby's pupils, irises and whites of its eyes to check if its awake.
The monitor can also sense whether a baby is in a position from which it will likely "wake up imminently".
This can be suggested by a baby moving after having been still for a long time.
The device can then give parents a warning to a smartphone and tablet about when their baby will wake up or what position it's currently in, including standing, crawling and climbing.
Alerts will also be sent if the baby leaves the view of the camera.
Perhaps the most important feature is the devices proposed ability to tell if a baby is in discomfort but not making noise.
This is something that conventional baby monitors lack.
The patent states: "If the baby is continually tossing and turning, the baby may be in some form of discomfort, such as being too hot or too cold.
"The greater amount of movement exhibited by the baby, the greater distress the baby may be assumed to be in.
"For example, if the baby is tossing in his sleep, is awake and moving around when the baby is expected to be asleep, or worse, is choking, tangled in bedding, or otherwise is in a dangerous position, the baby is in distress but may not be crying."
As with all patented ideas, we never know for certain if the device will actually be created and sold until official word from the company is given.
Google has already embedded its voice assistant into some baby monitors but these devices have come under fire for being vulnerable to hacking.
The National Cyber Security Centre in the UK has previously called for manufacturers to make sure modern toys and baby monitors connected to the internet are secure if they're going to be sold in Britain.
TOP STORIES IN TECH
In other news, humans could soon communicate silently using mind-reading chips, scientists have claimed.
YouTube has quietly changed its algorithm last so more family friendly content is being promoted, according to a recent investigation.
And, a d*ck pic victim has used AI to track down sick cyber flashers on social media.
Do you think this baby monitor is a good idea? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]