Technological innovation
We are using technology to understand and improve brain and mental health across the lifespan.
Our digital discoveries use everyday technologies such as tablets, apps and wearables to capture lived experience in the real world. We are also pushing the boundaries of new digital approaches for brain and mental health, such as robotics and artificial intelligence. Together, these technologies allow us to rapidly translate our research into diverse communities.
Sustaining student mental health
Co-designed with Monash students, and developed in partnership with Harvard University, the Thrive App is a novel, freely accessible digital tool that allows students to proactively monitor and manage their mental health and well-being from their smartphone. Through the app, students can ‘check-in’ on their daily mental health, sleep, physical activity and diet and take steps to seek help before their symptoms escalate.
Sleep health enhancement for shift workers
Working in partnership with the healthcare sector, we have developed an app that provides individualised guidance to shift workers to better manage their sleep and health. The app uses biomath models to show optimal sleep timing and predict alertness.
Game-based interventions for children
An early-stage collaboration with Microsoft is using interactive games in the classroom to train and strengthen crucial cognitive skills. Through the games, children develop their ability to mentally retain information, providing the scaffolding for better literacy and numeracy. Rewards and goals ensure the training is fun and engaging.
Robots supporting brain and mental health
Social robots can provide therapeutic intervention to people with mental health, isolation and loneliness challenges. We are exploring ways of using the latest in robot technology to deliver mindfulness meditation and behavioural coaching, as well as working with engineers to expand robot intelligence, perception and cognition to make their interactions with humans more natural and therapeutically beneficial.
Improving brain and mental health with virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is rapidly becoming a powerful tool in our research. ‘Alfi VR’ places adolescents in a virtual medieval environment where learning to develop self-control avoids fire-breathing dragons. At BrainPark we are using VR allow people with compulsive behaviours to change their habits in a safe environment. VR is also proving a novel means of teaching emotional recognition, empathy and anti-racism in our students.