VOKALKORD, which is among the scientific experiments carried out by Turkey’s first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı on the International Space Station, enables the detection of disorders with the support of artificial intelligence from the frequency change in the voice.
Prof. Dr. Gökhan Aydemir from Haliç University, the manager of the VOKALKORD project, said in a statement that VOKALKORD is a mobile application to detect lung and cardiovascular diseases that may be caused by low gravity in advance.
Stating that they developed VOKALKORD with a team of 12 people, including artificial intelligence experts, Aydemir said, “In the first stage, we record spirometric data by measuring only decibel differences, working on the basis of deep breathing, where lung capacity and mandatory vital capacity are calculated. The second phase is cough and phonation. In these two phases, the sound frequencies and vibrations are measured and the current lung and cardiovascular health is evaluated.”
Noting that they developed VOKALKORD during the COVID-19 outbreak, Aydemir stated that they uploaded patients’ data such as cough and phonation to artificial intelligence systems during the epidemic process.
“We went through very heavy stages with the VOKALKORD project”
Prof. Dr. Gökhan Aydemir, reminding that they heard the call of the Turkish Space Agency in 2021, continued his words as follows:
“Among approximately 40 universities, Haliç University went through very heavy stages, believing that it would contribute with the VOKALKORD project. The most difficult phase for us was NASA’s. Because there is a medical device, scientific support, publications and publication phases. Apart from that, we attended NASA’s own trainings. After evaluating all the stages such as how to send a material into space, how NASA can benefit from this mobile application in future space journeys, our experiment was approved by NASA on September 23, 2023. Before that, we had trainings with Alper Gezeravcı. Gezeravcı, being an engineer and pilot, implemented the application very well and contributed to its development.”
“They plan to use our application on the next astronauts”
Gökhan Aydemir stated that they were conducting earth experiments, one of which was carried out at Haliç University, and that the other experiment was conducted in the United States on January 9.
Stating that they took Gezeravcı’s voice recordings, coughs and phonations, Aydemir said, “Gezeravcı performs our experiment in the silent room in the International Space Station every sunrise and sunset and records his data. After Gezeravcı returns to the earth and the quarantine process is over, we want to share the results of our experiment and present the application to the public until February 26.”
Pointing out that the VOKALKORD experiment was carried out on a tablet on the International Space Station, Aydemir said, “NASA installed the application on the tablet and went through many software-related phases while installing it. They are planning to use our application on the astronauts after Gezeravcı. After announcing the test results and scientific data, the usefulness of the application will be evaluated.”
“It will be able to detect respiratory diseases”
Prof. Dr. Aydemir, the manager of the VOKALKORD project, stated that VOKALKORD will be an application that can be used by everyone working under difficult conditions and made the following statements:
“In the experimental part of our application, tests will be carried out to evaluate lung physiology. When lung capacity, vital capacity and mandatory vital capacity are detected, the disorders that can be detected will be determined. In addition, phonation, cough and respiratory diseases will be detected. On the one hand, we will be able to direct all kinds of health services with the support of artificial intelligence, as it can also take pulse, respiratory rate, saturation, ECG through electrodes, which we call the vital functions of the body.”
“We will also evaluate Gezeravcı’s experiences in space”
Haliç University Rector Prof. Dr. Nihat İnanç expressed their happiness that the VOKALKORD project supported by the university was among the experiments carried out in space.
Emphasizing that this is just the beginning, İnanç said, “We will also evaluate the experiences of Gezeravcı in space and the information he gained during his experiments. We will shape our next steps together with Mr. Alper’s experiences in space.”
