Indian teen develops Paraspeak, an AI-powered translator for paralysis patients
The device, according to Khetan, is India's first open-source Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) framework specially designed for Hindi dysarthric speech. Talking about the device, Khetan said that what struck him most profoundly was dysarthria – a motor speech disorder affecting patients with paralysis, Parkinson's disease, COPD, and other neurological conditions.
'The advantage with dysarthria is that the speech processing in their brain is completely fine. They know what they want to say, and they understand everything everyone else is saying. It's just that their muscles aren't able to properly produce speech. But the meaning and that intent are still there,' Khetan told indianexpress.com.
Khetan has named the device Paraspeak, and it aims to address a critical gap in the field. In India, while there is no specific data on dysarthria, it is a fairly common speech disorder. The teen said that while there is some research for English dysarthric speech recognition, there are no solutions for Hindi-speaking patients. 'I chose Hindi because it's spoken by over 40 per cent of India. But surprisingly, there is no dataset for Hindi dysarthric speech. No one has ever gone out and collected Hindi dysarthric speech for the purposes of training a model,' he explained.
This led to one of the challenging aspects of his project – data collection. As part of his research, the teen visited NGOs and care centres and created the first-ever dataset of Hindi dysarthric speech comprising 42 minutes of recordings from 28 patients. Later, with the help of sophisticated data augmentation techniques, he expanded it to 20 hours of synthetic training data. Even a simple sentence with three or four words would take time and effort for those affected by dysarthria.
'It was really emotional, because what happens with dysarthria is that people aren't able to understand what you say. So eventually they withdraw from their surroundings and stop trying to speak in the first place,' he said.
'Many of these patients were putting in a lot of effort, and there were many cases where I was telling them to stop, the doctor was telling them to stop, but they still kept going. They were really happy to contribute.' Following real-time testing, Khetan filed a patent for the device.
Khetan shared that the small device is built on the transformer architecture, the technology that is powering large language models like ChatGPT and Claude. However, for the device, he adapted the architecture for speech recognition. When it comes to function, the system takes slow, unclear speech from dysarthric patients and converts it into clear, understandable speech that can be played aloud.
The device comes in a compact form factor, as small as a webcam, that can be worn around the neck. 'All this device needs to operate is an internet connection. It has a long battery life. It can last more than 10 hours at least,' Khetan explained. The patient needs to simply press a button to activate recording, speak into the built-in microphone, and the audio is processed by AI models running on cloud servers before returning clear speech output.
What makes Paraspeak unique is its scalability. Unlike existing research solutions that work only with individual patients, Paraspeak is designed to work across multiple speakers with the same underlying system. 'Current research is very limited in this area. Such models only work with one patient. So let's say I take one patient's data, and I train my model on them. It will only work with them. It's not scalable across multiple speakers,' he noted.
The speech recognition system stands out for its remarkably low cost of construction. Khetan said that the device costs Rs 2,000 to manufacture, with a monthly subscription fee of around Rs 200. The subscription here is internet data packs from telecom providers. According to the teen, the low cost of the device makes it accessible.
Talking about the cost efficiency, Khetan admitted that it was achieved through numerous iterations over a year. The first prototype was bulky with many wires attached; however, he progressively miniaturised it using custom printed circuit board designs. 'I have designed my own custom printed circuit boards. It's almost like how a smartphone would work on the inside. Very compact, custom electronics, which I've tried to design to create this as small as possible,' said Khetan, who is a student of Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon.
As of now Paraspeak isn't just a proof of concept; according to Khetan, it is a working solution that has been tested on real patients. 'I tested it on seven patients. I also recorded videos of three of them with a variety of diseases like congenital disorders, paralysis, Parkinson's, and COPD, and they were content with the fact that the device worked for them,' said Khetan, whose innovation also got recognised at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2025, held in Ohio, USA. His work was also recognised at India's IRIS National Fair.
As of now dysarthria is present in over 75 per cent of Parkinson's patients and mostly all late-stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients. Technologies like Paraspeak can bring hope to many. Khetan shared that as of today there is no market-ready solution for this disorder, making it a unique piece of tech.
When asked what excites him most about technology, Khetan said, 'I'm really passionate about assistive technology. There's so much in the technology spectrum which can be applied to assistive technology to tangibly improve the lives of so many people across the world. The best solutions are those with a tangible human impact, where you can instantly see a change in someone's life.'
Bijin Jose, an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi, is a technology journalist with a portfolio spanning various prestigious publications. Starting as a citizen journalist with The Times of India in 2013, he transitioned through roles at India Today Digital and The Economic Times, before finding his niche at The Indian Express. With a BA in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and an MA in English Literature, Bijin's expertise extends from crime reporting to cultural features. With a keen interest in closely covering developments in artificial intelligence, Bijin provides nuanced perspectives on its implications for society and beyond. ... Read More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Irregular sleep may raise risk of 172 diseases—including diabetes and kidney failure
For years, health experts have warned that both too little and too much sleep could negatively affect well-being. But new research suggests the problem might not be sleep quantity alone, but how consistently and accurately people sleep. A massive seven-year study, published in Health Data Science on June 3, 2025, tracked nearly 90,000 adults using wearable fitness trackers. The findings show that irregular sleep patterns—not just total sleep time—are strongly linked to an increased risk of 172 diseases, including Parkinson's, kidney failure, and Type 2 diabetes. Many health threats may begin silently, with poor sleep at the root. Irregular sleep is more harmful than you think The study revealed that many individuals who believed they were getting eight or more hours of sleep were actually sleeping much less—sometimes under six hours a night. These 'false long sleepers' skewed earlier research that relied heavily on self-reporting. When researchers compared objective data with self-reports, the supposed dangers of sleeping 'too much' mostly disappeared, pointing instead to irregular and inconsistent sleep as the real culprit behind rising health risks. Disrupted rhythms in sleep linked to chronic conditions Researchers used UK Biobank data and accelerometers to study sleep quality, duration, fragmentation, and timing. Led by Dr. Qing Chen from China's Third Military Medical University, the team found that irregular and fragmented sleep patterns were linked to a broad array of diseases—172 in total. These included: 37% higher risk of Parkinson's disease 36% higher risk of Type 2 diabetes 22% higher risk of acute kidney failure Sleep disruption also tripled the risk of frailty in older adults and doubled the risk of developing gangrene. Over 20% of disease cases could be preventable One of the most striking findings was that optimal, consistent sleep could potentially prevent more than 20% of cases for 92 different diseases. These included not only well-known conditions like heart disease and stroke, but also lesser-known associations such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and liver disorders. Sleep timing and regularity matter more than just hours While the traditional advice of sleeping 7–9 hours a night remains useful, this study emphasized that when you sleep and how consistent your schedule is may be even more important. People with erratic sleep times and inconsistent routines experienced significantly worse health outcomes—even if they logged enough total sleep hours. The researchers also identified biological markers that could explain the disease connection. Elevated levels of white blood cells and C-reactive protein were seen in participants with disrupted sleep—suggesting that chronic inflammation may be a major mechanism by which poor sleep contributes to disease. A wake-up call for healthier sleep habits Although the study is the largest of its kind, it was limited by a one-week data window and a predominantly White, healthy participant base. Yet even with these constraints, the findings held true across US-based NHANES data. The message is clear: irregular sleep can be dangerous, even if you think you're getting enough rest. Maintaining a stable sleep schedule may be a powerful, underappreciated way to protect your long-term health.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
CBSE Class 10th, 12th sample papers for 2025–26 released at cbseacademic.nic.in
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and Marking Schemes (MS) for Classes 10 and 12 for the academic session 2025-26. These resources are now available for download on the official academic website of the board — CBSE Class 10th Compartment Result 2025: CBSE supplementary exam result dates in the past According to the official notification, the purpose of releasing the sample papers is to offer a broad template for both teachers and students. These papers aim to ensure curriculum coverage with uniformity across schools and serve as a guide to the design of the question papers to be used in the Board examinations. As per the CBSE circular, the assessment scheme for Classes 10 and 12 remains unchanged for the academic year 2025-26. The same scheme that was in place during 2024-25 will be followed this year as well. Delhi schools to form student clubs for language, arts, sports, and more The Board, in its notice, has emphasised that these sample papers should be used in classroom instruction to promote the application of concepts in real-life contexts, aligning with CBSE's competency-based approach to education. The Class 10 sample question papers have been made available for a wide range of subjects. These include core subjects like Science, Mathematics (Basic and Standard), Social Science, English Language and Literature, Hindi Course A and B. Additionally, question papers are also available for various other languages such as Sanskrit, Urdu, Punjabi, and more. For Class 12, sample papers have been released across multiple streams – Science, Commerce, and Humanities. Subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Computer Science, and Informatics Practices in the Science stream. In the Commerce stream, Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics papers are available. The Humanities stream includes subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, Geography, and Psychology. Sample papers are also available for languages and elective subjects, including scheduled languages. Notably, many major subjects such as Physics, Sociology, and History are also offered with Hindi translations of the question papers for accessibility. CBSE has also made available updated support material and books for different school levels for the ongoing academic year. These resources are designed to support students in skill-based and vocational subjects introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) framework. NEP 2020, Five Years On: Curricular flexibility improves, but multiple entry-exit remains rigid For middle school students (classes 6 to 8), particularly those in Classes 6 and 8, CBSE has introduced a new skill module in Artificial Intelligence. The module, coded as 901, is intended to offer early exposure to AI concepts and promote future-ready skills among young learners. At the secondary level (classes 9 and 10), CBSE continues to provide vocational subjects such as Information Technology. Available under subject code 402, the support material for both Class IX and X can be downloaded. These materials include curriculum guides and practice content aligned with CBSE's emphasis on experiential learning. For senior secondary students (for classes 11 and 12), CBSE has published extensive learning material for skill subjects like Web Application (subject code 803) and Artificial Intelligence (subject code 843). For Artificial Intelligence, detailed handbooks are available separately for Class XI and XII, including Student Handbooks, Teacher Handbooks, and Project Cookbooks to aid in hands-on learning and project-based evaluation.
India Today
13 hours ago
- India Today
One Puff, Many Scars: A Journey Inside Smoker's Lungs
(This article has been critically reviewed by medical experts - Dr. Radhika Banka, Consultant, Respiratory Physician, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, and Dr Vibhu Kawatra, Pulmonologist Paediatrician and Allergy Specialist, New Delhi) Take a deep breath. Now imagine that same breath filled with invisible toxins — chemicals you can't see, but ones that start damaging your lungs from the very first inhale. One breath at a time, the harm begins. India is now home to over 100 million adult smokers — one of the highest in the world. And the consequences are catching up with us. Lung cancer, which is directly linked to tobacco use, has emerged as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally — and India is no exception. From quick chai breaks and shared suttas (cigarettes) outside college canteens and office buildings to the deeply rooted social habit of smoking beedis in rural corners of the country, tobacco use has long been woven into the everyday fabric of Indian life. But behind this casual culture of smoking lies a health crisis we've largely ignored. Despite the growing awareness of risks associated with tobacco, smoking is still socially accepted and alarmingly common across age groups and geographies. From the affordable beedi in the village to premium cigarettes in metro cities, access to tobacco is easy, and quitting remains difficult. This chai-sutta culture might seem harmless, even nostalgic to some. But beneath the smoke lies a deadly truth — one that India can no longer afford to ignore. THE FIRST SMOKE Credit: Generative AI The moment you take a puff or are exposed to passive smoking — you're drawing in more than just smoke. You're inhaling a toxic cocktail of chemicals such as tar, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and formaldehyde. These particles enter your airways and irritate the lining of your lungs, setting off a chain reaction of inflammation and tissue stress. Even a single inhalation can cause airways to swell and produce excess mucus. With regular exposure, this becomes a chronic condition, paving the way for long-term and irreversible respiratory damage. HEALTHY LUNGS VS. SMOKERS' LUNGS Healthy lungs are pink, spongy, and elastic. They expand freely, drawing in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide efficiently. Cilia and alveoli work together to keep the lungs clean and functioning. In contrast, smokers' lungs are darkened, stiff, and scarred. Tar and chemicals blacken the tissue, and the lungs gradually lose their flexibility. This reduces their ability to absorb oxygen, making every breath less effective over time. When one smokes, these alveolar sacs are damaged, and instead of remaining a grape-like structure, they change to the form of a balloon. This impairs gas exchange and leads to increased breathlessness. DISEASES LINKED TO SMOKING Smoking significantly increases the risk of over 60 serious illnesses. Key among them are: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Lungs lose elasticity, trapping air and making exhalation difficult. Studies show that smoking is often responsible for 9 out of 10 cases of COPD. It pertains to the lining of the lungs and the airways. It swells the air tubes and destroys the air sacs. Lung cancer: Caused by DNA mutations in lung cells from prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals. What's more concerning is that lung cancer often goes undetected until it's too late. By the time symptoms like chronic cough or chest pain appear, the disease is often in an advanced stage, leaving limited treatment options. And while there are public campaigns and warnings, they are no match for the addictive nature of nicotine and the cultural normalisation of the chai-sutta ritual. Heart disease: Smoke narrows blood vessels, increases blood pressure, and reduces oxygen supply to the heart. Stroke and vascular issues: Smoking thickens the blood and promotes artery blockages, raising the risk of brain and circulatory damage. IMPACT ON LUNG CELLS (MICROSCOPIC DAMAGE) Your lungs are lined with millions of alveoli, these are tiny air sacs that enable oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be expelled. Cigarette smoke destroys these alveoli, causing inflammation, rupture, and scarring. Once damaged, alveoli do not regenerate. The cilia, tiny hair-like structures responsible for sweeping out dust and microbes, are also paralysed or destroyed, leaving the lungs vulnerable to infection and buildup of harmful substances. Lung function tests or spirometry objectively measure lung capacity. Smoking can cause limitations on spirometry, known as airflow obstruction, which can be easily picked up. WHAT YEARS OF SMOKING LOOKS LIKE Smoking damage is not always immediate — but it is cumulative. After 1 year: Chronic cough and noticeable shortness of breath may develop. Regular smokers are also at the risk of COPD depending on the frequency of smoking as well as the kind of smoke. Experts warn that Beedi is more lethal than cigarettes. Hookah without a filter is the worst for your lung health. After 5 years: Risk of stroke and heart attack rises significantly. After 10–20 years: The risk of lung cancer and COPD is dramatically higher. Lung capacity may be less than 50% of its original function. Even if symptoms aren't felt early on, the internal damage builds with every puff. As smoking-related diseases rise, India seems to be staring at a mounting public health burden. And data paints a grim picture. In India, the incidence of cancer cases is likely to increase from 1.46 million in 2022 to 1.57 million in 2025, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). CAN LUNGS RECOVER? The good news: Yes, your lungs can recover — to a point. Within days of quitting, oxygen levels in the blood begin to improve. After a few weeks, cilia start to repair themselves, helping to clear mucus and reduce infections. Over months and years, lung function improves, and the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease declines. Statistically, smoking can cut your life short by 10 to 15 years. But if you stop smoking by age 30, you can get back almost all of those years. Just one year after quitting, your chance of having a heart attack drops by half. After four years, your heart health becomes as good as someone who never smoked. If you stay away from smoking for five years, your risk of getting smoking-related cancer drops by 50%, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After 15 years of quitting, your cancer risk becomes the same as that of a person who has never smoked. However, scar tissue and destroyed alveoli do not regenerate. Lifestyle improvement will result in instantaneous improvement in symptoms of cough and breathlessness. A sustained improvement in lifestyle may eventually show improvement in lung function, but typically damage to the lung secondary to smoking is usually irreversible. In short, the longer you smoke, the harder it is for your lungs to heal completely. Early intervention is key. Photo credits: Adobe Stock, Getty Images, Generative AI Glossary of Terms Spirometer: It is a medical device used to measure how well your lungs are working. COPD: Short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a progressive long-term lung disorder. Alveoli: These are tiny balloon-like air sacs in our lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place. Cilia: Tiny hair-like structures responsible for sweeping out dust and microbes.
