Meet Kemisola Bolarinwa, a Nigerian engineer who is breaking new ground in wearable health technology with her innovative smart bra designed to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages, even before visible symptoms appear.
The 34-year-old robotics and embedded systems engineer unveiled the prototype publicly in February 2022. The inspiration behind the invention is deeply personal: the death of her aunt from breast cancer in 2017.
“Watching my aunt’s struggle and seeing other women suffer in hospitals made me realize that early detection could save countless lives,” Bolarinwa told reporters.
Bolarinwa is the founder and CEO of Nextwear Technologies, Nigeria’s first wearable technology startup, and has dedicated her research to creating a portable, comfortable alternative to traditional ultrasound machines.
How the Smart Bra Works
The device uses Doppler ultrasound technology and nanotechnology to detect unusual blood flow and lumps in breast tissue. Unlike conventional ultrasound machines, which produce large, static images, Bolarinwa’s smart bra is compact, wearable, and designed for daily use, offering a new path for proactive breast health monitoring.
Developing the bra was no small feat. The project took about 18 months of intensive research before the prototype emerged in 2019, and her work has since earned international recognition, including coverage by BBC Africa.
While the prototype has shown promise, Bolarinwa notes that the smart bra still requires further refinement and clinical trials before it can reach the market. Initial projections had mass production slated for late 2022 or early 2023, but she emphasizes that safety and validation are paramount.
Beyond her invention, Bolarinwa is a strong advocate for female participation in STEM. As President of the Women in ICT Foundation, she mentors young girls, encourages entrepreneurship, and pushes for greater investment in research and development across Africa.
“In four months, a fintech app can be launched, but deep-tech innovations like this take years,” she said. “We need stronger support for hardware and medical research if Africa’s innovators are to thrive.”
Bolarinwa earned her Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the University of Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) and has over 10 years of professional experience in robotics and technology. Her work combines technical expertise, problem-solving, and a deep commitment to creating practical solutions for pressing societal challenges.
Kemisola Bolarinwa’s smart bra is more than a piece of technology, it is a symbol of innovation, resilience, and the power of women engineers to tackle life-saving challenges.
Source: Vanguard News