We learned to measure heart rate using headphones

Google engineers have described a way to measure medical indicators using regular headphones. This was reported by 9to5Google.

Media journalists drew attention to the publication of company specialists on the Google Research platform. The material says that engineers have come up with a way to relatively accurately obtain heart rate data using headphones.

Fitness trackers, smartwatches and other devices collect data about the user’s heart rate using photoplethysmography (PPG). Google scientists have invented a way to collect data through audio plethysmography (APG), where the device receives data through ultrasound. In this case, the transmitter sends a low-intensity signal that is reflected from the walls of the ear.

During the study, experts found that the signal may be distorted in some cases. To eliminate interference, scientists began using multiple ultrasonic frequencies and collecting data based on the most accurate signal.

153 enthusiasts took part in the Google study. As a result, it turned out that the new method allows one to collect medical data quite accurately – the error rate when measuring pulse and heart rate variability was 3.21 and 2.7 percent, respectively.

In March, the Chinese company Huawei introduced the first wireless headphones on the market with the ability to measure temperature and pulse. The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2+ headset was priced at 1,499 yuan, or about 19 thousand rubles.