Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Aizip have joined forces to present groundbreaking AI-enhanced sensing technologies, highlighting real-time swallowing detection using millimeter-wave radar and advanced gesture recognition through electromyography (EMG). By combining AKM’s cutting-edge sensing hardware with Aizip’s lightweight artificial intelligence (AI) models, the collaboration delivers ready-to-use solutions that allow manufacturers to integrate AI capabilities without needing in-house expertise.

One of the key innovations emerging from this partnership is AKM’s millimeter-wave radar solution for real-time swallowing monitoring. This technology addresses the pressing need to detect aspiration—an accidental inhalation of food or liquid into the airway—which poses a serious risk to older adults. According to the American Thoracic Society, nearly 186,000 Americans succumbed to aspiration pneumonia between 1999 and 2022, with three-quarters of these cases involving individuals aged 75 or older. AKM’s radar module monitors subtle throat movements without requiring any wearable devices. The radar signals are converted into audio-like data, which Aizip’s AI models process locally in real time, accurately differentiating swallowing from other throat and body movements. This provides critical insights into aspiration risk and enables timely intervention.

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Meanwhile, AKM and Aizip have developed an innovative gesture recognition platform built around AKM’s AK05611 analog front-end IC. This compact 1.56 × 2.71 mm IC integrates amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, and motion artifact cancellation, allowing precise EMG signal detection from forearm muscles. In the demonstration, a wristband housing the AK05611 captures muscle activity, and Aizip’s AI models interpret gestures such as an open hand, closed hand, or a single tap. This technology enables users to interact with devices or send alerts to caregivers without touching a screen.

“These solutions can work in the background—whether it’s a smartwatch recognizing gestures or a sensor monitoring swallowing during meals,” said Gregg Rouse, President of AKM’s U.S. business. “Processing data on the device in real time means we can alert caregivers the moment something goes wrong. That speed matters when you’re trying to prevent someone from choking or aspirating.”

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Weier Wan, CTO at Aizip, added, “When you process data locally instead of sending it to the cloud, you eliminate latency, protect privacy, and reduce power consumption. Our models can extract clinical-grade insights from sensor data using minimal computing resources, allowing manufacturers to add sophisticated sensors to battery-powered devices without sacrificing performance or requiring expensive hardware.”

By merging AKM’s precise sensors with Aizip’s on-device AI, the partnership redefines intelligent sensing. While initially aimed at digital health and wearable applications, these solutions have broad potential across smart home, industrial, and other emerging markets, offering practical, life-saving capabilities.

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