Biofeedback, Wearables, and Fitness Video Games

This article was originally published by Acculation on another site.

As we’ve discussed earlier, one of the reason “sensor laden devices” like smartphones, smartwatches, and the emerging Internet of Things category are so amazing is that all of their uses haven’t yet been invented. There are so many sensors jam-packed into these devices, that software developers are constantly figuring out how to come with novel ways to use these sensors together in newly invented ways. It’s a combination of a large number of sensors jammed into a small space, combined with powerful computers and innovative software that is bringing us into the future. Fitness video games are just one aspect of this wearables revolution.

Treating Stress and Pulmonary Disease with Heart Rate Variability Feedback: StressEraser and … Nintendo?

Inexpensive Pulse Oximeters and Future Smartwatch Apps

In addition to making a great fitness or relaxation video game input, and clinical applications in treating pulmonary disease, inexpensive pulse oximeter devices have potential applications in medical apps. A number of iPhone apps claim to be able to use the phone’s flash and camera together to measure pulse rate. (The user holds their finger over both the flash and camera, and the camera supposedly can measure the pulse using light from flash.) Another app claims to be able to estimate pulse using the iPhones camera to measure subtle changes in flesh tones. These apps are controversial, and there is a lot of skepticism as to whether or not they are accurate.  (However, we have heard one anecdotal account of one such app being used on an airplane during a medical emergency.)The apps might not work or be accurate enough today, but eventually, as these iPhone techniques improve, or additional sensors get added to smartphones, someday your smartphone will be able to accurately measure your pulse rate. That means there’ll be an app that replaces the StressEraser, another workout app that adjusts in a manner similar to EA Sports Active 2, and yet another app that can send your pulse rate over to a remote doctor to assist in a telemedicine diagnosis. And eventually those capabilities will make it into your future smartwatch as it gradually replaces your smartphone.

“Sensor Laden Devices”: A future $300 Billion market?

One of the reasons “sensor ladden devices” are potentially so disruptive is that, by combining many portable sensors together on a small “wearable” computer, entirely new applications can be invented. It’s not just the phone’s camera, or camera and flash, to measure heart rate (and then have the smartwatch’s computer run a relaxation biofeedback or medical diagnosis app), but truly unexpected applications can arise. One of the more interesting examples of this is the reprogramming of smartphone’s GPS sensors to detect hurricane wind speeds by measuring scattered GPS signals.. This potentially replaces much more expensive single-use devices that previously had to be dropped into the ocean for $750 a measurement. We would expect similar innovations in the health & fitness arena, and we’re already seeing some.Obviously, one of the areas we’re most excited about is new ways of getting more accurate information to first responders. There are number of ways medical tag technology can be modernized beyond combining them with a cool watch, and we’re excited about what the future holds.