Google’s earbuds method makes use of a unique method known as audioplethysmography (APG).
Google’s new analysis paper dives deep into how you possibly can use your pair of wi-fi noise-canceling earbuds to measure your coronary heart fee. Here are the main points.
When it involves measuring coronary heart fee, most individuals depend on off-the-shelf health trackers and smartwatches. But what when you might use your pair of wi-fi noise-canceling earbuds to measure your coronary heart fee as nicely? Well, that is precisely what Google has tried in a analysis paper noticed by 9to5Mac.
But earlier than we delve into Google’s method, let’s study how coronary heart fee is often measured by means of photoplethysmography. This optical method detects modifications in blood quantity utilizing pulsating lights.
Google’s earbuds method, then again, makes use of a unique method known as audioplethysmography (APG). Unlike the optical methodology, this know-how depends on ultrasound to detect the heartbeat.
According to the paper, Google notes that APG “sends a low-intensity ultrasound probing signal using an ANC headphone’s speakers and receives the echoes via the onboard feedback microphones.” Simply put, the ultrasound waves bounce off the ear canal and return to the mic. This studying includes intricacies akin to modifications in blood vessel deformations, thus modulating the ultrasound echoes with the heartbeats.
Google states it has developed a brand new mannequin involving a “multi-tone APG signal processing pipeline” to point each coronary heart fee and coronary heart fee variability in “constrained and unconstrained settings.”
“APG enables robust monitoring of cardiac activities using mass-market ANC headphones in the presence of music playback and body motion, such as running,” Google added. The firm additionally notes that the APG know-how is resilient to variations in pores and skin tone, sub-optimum seal circumstances, and ear canal measurement.
