In 2018, Dr. Rula Sharqi’s son, Joseph, fell ill with the seasonal flu, which presented difficulties for the single, working mom in caring for her child. Joseph was fussier and more uncomfortable than usual, requiring constant monitoring of his vital signs. This experience inspired Dr. Sharqi to develop the ‘LittleGard wristband’, a baby monitor that sends text alerts or emails to parents and can alert emergency services in extreme cases. Utilizing her engineering expertise as an Associate Professor of Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Dr. Sharqi created this baby monitor that can easily attach to an infant’s wrist, allowing parents to keep track of their baby’s vital signs.
Dr. Sharqi’s motivation behind inventing the LittleGard wristband came from a desire to offer proactive monitoring and timely alerts, enabling parents to take prompt action when their child’s health needs attention. With the help of Nakhul Kalaivanan, a robotics engineering student, advanced nanosensors covered by cotton bands were developed to ensure accurate vital signs monitoring and minimize false readings. The wristband continuously monitors temperature, oxygen levels, and pulse rate, providing real-time insights into the child’s health and potentially preventing serious health issues with early intervention.
Although the LittleGard wristband is not yet available for purchase, Dr. Sharqi is actively seeking an industrial partner to bring the product to market. As an educational engineering institute, their role is to develop innovative solutions, and they are currently validating the reading accuracy before launching the product. Dr. Sharqi’s passion for innovation stems from her parents, who were pioneers in engineering in the Arab world, inspiring her to pursue a career where she could make a tangible difference through innovation and technology.
Beyond infant healthcare, Dr. Rula Sharqi is also working on a project to enhance the lives of adults by developing a smart fridge. This innovative fridge will read the components of food items, their expiry dates, plan meals based on available ingredients, and send notifications about expired items. Dr. Sharqi sees engineering as more than just math and science; it offers practical solutions to save lives. She believes that wherever there is a problem to be solved, an engineer will find a solution, and her life’s purpose is focused on discovering and implementing innovative solutions that positively impact society.
