Georgia Tech researchers have created a soft, wireless wearable system that tracks newborns’ vital signs through a chest patch and forehead sensor, sending real-time data to a smartphone app.

In a pilot study at Ethiopia’s Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the device improved monitoring accuracy, reduced equipment needs, and allowed babies to rest with fewer interruptions. Notably, 84% of parents said they would use it at home.

Driven by a mission to lower neonatal mortality, the team designed the patch to be gentle, reliable, and able to catch critical changes quickly, supporting clinicians where resources are limited.