A Nigerian robotics and embedded systems engineer, Kemisola Bolarinwa has introduced an invention, a smart bra designed to detect early-stage breast c
A Nigerian robotics and embedded systems engineer, Kemisola Bolarinwa has introduced an invention, a smart bra designed to detect early-stage breast cancer before symptoms manifest.
The inspiration behind Bolarinwa’s invention stemmed from personal tragedy when she lost a loved one to breast cancer in 2017.
This prompted her to develop a prototype for the smart bra, which she unveiled to the world in February 2022.
As the founder and CEO of Nextwear Technologies, Nigeria’s pioneer wearable technology startup, Bolarinwa embarked on a mission to revolutionize breast cancer detection.
Her journey involved extensive research and development, culminating in the creation of the smart bra.
Utilizing nanotechnology, she repurposed ultrasound technology into a compact form factor, making it wearable and accessible.
The smart bra employs a specialized ultrasound system called the Doppler, which detects abnormalities such as lumps by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off the body.
With significant progress, Bolarinwa acknowledges that further refinement and clinical trials are necessary before mass production can commence.
She anticipates this process to be completed by early 2023.
Beyond her role as an inventor, Bolarinwa is a staunch advocate for increasing female participation in STEM fields.
Her passion for addressing gender disparities in technology led her to establish the Women In ICT Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through technology education and leadership initiatives.
With a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University), Bolarinwa possesses over a decade of experience in technology, coupled with a commitment to solving complex problems and promoting innovation.
