Lung disease will be detected earlier and more accurately through new groundbreaking AI technologies set to be developed by university researchers.
Led by Manchester Metropolitan University, in collaboration with partners across the UK, two major research projects will pioneer next-generation digital tools capable of transforming how asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions are identified and managed.
Funded by £2.2 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), these AI-driven initiatives aim to address long delays in the diagnosis of lung disease, which is one of the most persistent challenges in respiratory medicine and leads to avoidable disease progression, preventable hospital admissions and widening health inequalities.
By developing low-cost, non-invasive and highly scalable screening technologies, the projects align directly with the Lung Research Grand Challenges, which have set the agenda for the next 10 years of respiratory research in the UK.
The projects also address national priorities for earlier diagnosis, equitable healthcare and trustworthy AI innovation.
AI-Enabled Mobile-First Screening
The “AIRTIME” project is a £1.1M initiative (£902k funded by EPSRC) aimed at enabling mobile, AI-driven early detection of respiratory disease.
The project will develop a low-cost, mobile-first screening tool that uses smartphone microphones and motion sensors alongside explainable edge AI to support private, real-time respiratory assessment and earlier, more equitable diagnosis.
Liangxiu Han, Professor of Computational Science at Manchester Metropolitan and the project lead, said: “We will harness the power of artificial intelligence to make respiratory screening faster, easier and more equitable.
“By turning a smartphone into a pocket-sized lung health monitor, we aim to remove long-standing barriers to diagnosis and empower people to take control of their lung health.”
Visual and Acoustic Screening
In a separate project, a £1.6M initiative (£1.3M funded by EPSRC) titled “LungSight” will aim to transform the early detection of chronic lung disease.
A low-cost, non-invasive screening tool will be developed that integrates computer vision and acoustic analysis to enable proactive self-screening and support earlier referral.
Professor Moi Hoon Yap, Project Lead of LungSight said: “LungSight represents a unique synergy between engineering, AI, and clinical expertise. Our goal is to make respiratory screening accessible, affordable, and proactive—helping clinicians diagnose earlier and empowering patients to take control of their lung health.”
Together, AIRTIME and LungSight represent a major investment in trustworthy, equitable and clinically informed AI, positioning the UK as a global leader in digital respiratory health.
By developing technologies that operate in homes, communities and clinical settings alike, the projects are expected to dramatically shorten diagnostic pathways, reduce healthcare inequalities and strengthen early intervention.
The combined programme marks a significant step toward a future where AI-driven screening helps ensure that respiratory illness is detected earlier, faster and more fairly for millions of people.
Professor Nick Brook, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “These projects are a major step in our contribution to tackling national healthcare priorities by harnessing leading academic research, expertise and innovative technology.
“The projects confirm our strength around health technology and AI showing our commitment not only to the national agenda but strong alignment with the Greater Manchester’s Sector Development Plans. Building on our research strengths, supported by significant research funding, we are set to work with partners across the UK and the Greater Manchester region in the future to improve millions of lives.”
Notes to editors
* The AIRTIME project will be led by Professor Liangxiu Han (Manchester Metropolitan University) with co-leads Professor John Dickinson (University of Kent) and Dr Nicholas Smith (University of Oxford) working in collaboration with Asthma + Lung UK, the NIHR HRC Community Healthcare, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, the Royal Brompton Hospital, and ORB for Health.
* The Lungsight project will be led by Professor Moi Hoon Yap (Manchester Metropolitan University) with co-leads Dr Ning Ma (University of Sheffield), Professor Anna Barney (University of Southampton), Professor Bibek Gooptu (University of Leicester), Professor Akhilesh Jha (University of Cambridge), and Dr Oliver Price (University of Leeds). It will be supported by partners including Asthma + Lung UK, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, the South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub, the Yorkshire & Humber Secure Data Environment, the Foundation for Genomics and Population Health, Nvidia, the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Aberystwyth University, and ELAROS.
