Empowering Memories: AI-Powered Solution for Alzheimer’s Patients Wins Hackathon

Date: October 29, 2024

In an inspiring showcase of innovation and empathy, two Georgia Tech computer science majors, Syed Husain and Vihaan Nagarkar, have developed an AI-driven application aimed at enhancing the lives of Alzheimer’s patients. Their project, MemoLens, triumphed at the annual DubHacks 2024 hackathon, demonstrating not only technical prowess but also deep personal motivation rooted in family experiences.

The hackathon, a renowned platform for budding entrepreneurs, took place on October 12-13, where the duo secured first place in the AWS Gen-AI and Cloud Computing track. MemoLens is designed to empower Alzheimer’s patients by utilizing smart glasses combined with advanced facial recognition algorithms, enabling users to:

• Recognize loved ones easily
• Manage daily medications effectively
• Maintain a higher level of independence

Motivated by personal stories—both students have grandfathers who battled Alzheimer’s—Nagarkar recalls witnessing the confusion and distress on his grandfather’s face as he struggled to connect names to familiar faces. “It was heartbreaking to see the confusion and anxiety on his face when he couldn’t recognize his own family,” Nagarkar recounted, which fueled their commitment to creating a supportive technological tool for individuals facing similar challenges.

The MemoLens platform integrates a customizable AI assistant with Vuzix M400 smart glasses, allowing the AI to access an extensive database of familiar faces. This assists users with medication reminders, answers to inquiries regarding their condition, and access to patient resources. The innovative approach enables a vital connection between users and their support networks, enhancing daily interactions and experiences.

After developing a working prototype, Husain and Nagarkar engaged in thorough user testing, seeking feedback from both healthcare professionals and patients. This iterative process highlighted the importance of empathy in technology design. “Through DubHacks, we learned the importance of empathy in technology design and how critical end-users are in the design process to create solutions that genuinely meet their needs,” noted Nagarkar.

Though initially conceived as a hackathon project, the pair envision taking MemoLens to market. “We aim to enhance the system by developing a multi-LLM architecture, where a central LLM acts as an agent that seamlessly delegates tasks to specialized models,” commented Husain. This ambitious plan intends to lower latency and deliver a more personalized experience, ensuring that users receive immediate assistance tailored to their individual needs.

Husain explained that using specialized models could provide richer contextual understanding, enabling a more customized experience for each user, ultimately improving the support offered by MemoLens. The duo is already researching new wearable technology for a planned MemoLens 2.0, which promises to be faster and more impactful in its next iteration.

A Vision for Future Innovation

“Our goal is to integrate our solutions into the technology landscape using human-centered design to address complex problems,” said Nagarkar. He believes that true innovations pave the way for substantive, lasting impacts, stating, “Real innovation happens when ideas are brought to life at scale, creating lasting positive impacts. MemoLens 2.0 is a step toward this vision.”

Both innovators were recognized with a Smart Home hub and an Echo Show 11 for their significant achievement at DubHacks 2024. As they look toward the future of MemoLens, their collective vision reflects a deep commitment to not just technology, but to improving lives through empathy-driven solutions.

As they embark on this journey, the world watches closely, eager to see how these emerging technologies will transform the landscape for Alzheimer’s care and support.