Polish AI app to detect sirens and calls for help

5 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Lublin university develops AI ear support app to detect sirens and shouts, alerting hard-of-hearing users via phones and wearables.

The Lublin university has launched a project to detect sirens and shouts using machine learning. The team calls the effort AI ear support and it aims to warn people with hearing loss fast.

Table of Contents

Why the project matters

Millions worldwide live with hearing loss. Moreover, the World Health Organization estimates over 430 million need specialised support. Consequently, the number could rise above 700 million by 2050. In addition, the team at the Technical University of Lublin wants to reduce risk for those people. Therefore they focus on speed, accuracy and battery life.

How the technology will work

The system will analyse ambient sound via a smartphone microphone. Moreover, developers plan to add wearables like smartwatches and headphones. Consequently, the app will send instant notifications when it detects danger. In addition, users will choose vibration, flash or other alerts. Furthermore, people will set sensitivity and intensity levels. Therefore the app adapts to urban noise and personal needs.

AI ear support: design challenges and tests

Jakub Krzysiak from the Lublin university explains his motivation. Moreover, he says AI can do more than generate content. Therefore the team built early models and tested them with volunteers. However, noisy environments challenge detection. In addition, Professor Michał Wydra focuses on energy efficiency. Furthermore, he stresses the need to balance detection accuracy and low power consumption. Consequently, the project will undergo more user trials and optimisation before release.

Practical use and safety in daily life

The researchers expect the app to help during city travel and driving. Moreover, quick alerts could give extra seconds to react. In addition, tests showed hard-of-hearing subjects reacted nearly three seconds slower. Therefore the team argues even one second matters for safety. Furthermore, the app could support blind or distracted pedestrians as well.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Poland uses public sirens for civil alerts, and local emergency services rely on them. Moreover, if you live here, register for official alerts where possible. In addition, Polish systems use identifiers like PESEL (national ID number) for administrative tasks. Furthermore, public healthcare runs through NFZ (the National Health Fund), and pensions and benefits pass via ZUS (the Social Insurance Institution). Also know that breaking traffic rules can bring a mandat (fine). Therefore keep your documents ready when moving to Poland.

Researchers plan further optimisation and real-world tests. Moreover, they will involve more users before a public launch. Therefore the app could become a low-cost safety layer for people with hearing loss.

Source: Read original article

📚 Looking for more help settling in Poland? Browse our complete Expat Guides.