Advancing Neuroplasticity through AI

Performance Breakthrough offers a balance, coordination, and eye-tracking programme that rewires the brain through neuroplasticity. Their core mission is to support children who struggle with concentration, cognitive ability, and executive function by reducing stress, anxiety, and frustration through targeted exercises.

The Challenge

Performance Breakthrough has developed Perform-It-Better, a web-based app designed to improve focus and reduce frustration in children through simple 2-minute daily eye-tracking exercises. However, the company faced significant challenges in expanding its reach and refining its programme for broader educational accessibility. They envisioned integrating AI-driven diagnostics to track body tension, gaze movement, and hand-eye coordination, offering a more tailored approach to individual needs.

The Solution

Working with the Hartree Centre Northern Ireland Hub, Performance Breakthrough explored cutting-edge AI techniques to create a proof-of-concept system capable of:

  • Tracking body posture and muscle tension by analysing shoulder positioning relative to hip alignment.
  • Detecting beanbag throws and eye-tracking patterns to assess engagement and coordination.
  • Generating personalised reports highlighting stress points and progress over time.

Using Python, MediaPipe, OpenCV, and Numpy, the system was developed in Google Colab and processed video-based exercises to extract and analyse key movement metrics. The result was an AI-driven diagnostic framework, offering real-time insights into children's motor and cognitive function.

Susan Steele, Director Performance Breakthrough

Quote from Susan Steele

"A huge thank you to Hartree Centre Northern Ireland Hub, for their outstanding work in laying the groundwork for scanning children with learning difficulties through an AI-driven eye-tracking and physical movement system. Their expertise This foundational work has helped validate my concept, bringing the Beanbag Challenge closer to becoming a powerful diagnostic tool in education and beyond. Their contribution has been instrumental in turning innovation into reality!"

Susan Steele, Director Performance Breakthrough


Project Impact

This AI proof-of-concept has positioned Performance Breakthrough to scale their solution, provide clearer diagnostics and has laid the foundation for machine learning integration. Performance Breakthrough is now exploring further development to:

  • Enhance real-time gaze tracking accuracy.
  • Develop a dashboard for users to track progress over multiple sessions.
  • Secure additional support and funding through to scale the solution.

Further Information

This work was completed as one of our data projects. Our projects are up to 12 weeks in duration. We will work alongside your business to scope your project, demonstrate proof of concept, and explore options to deploy it within your business. If you would like to learn more about the Hartree NI Hub and our Programme, please get in touch with us at: info@hartreeni.uk

Our Impact on UK Industry and Society

The Hartree National Centre for Digital Innovation enables businesses to acquire the skills, knowledge and technical capability required to adopt digital technologies like super computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. The SME Engagement Hubs play a key role in offering targeted support for business challenges in their region, creating value and generating economical and societal impact for the UK.