Kyoto University announces heart rate sensor, measuring heart rate from a distance

Kyoto University, in collaboration with other groups, has developed a sensor that can measure breathing and heart rate from a distance. This sensor might be useful in detecting people who have serious symptoms of COVID-19.



Kyoto University and medical equipment venture businesses in Kyoto opened the press conference with the announcement of the heart rate sensor.

The sensor uses a milli-wave radar, which is a high frequency radio wave. The sensor can measure breathing intervals and heart rate from a distance of about 7 meters by detecting slight movements a few millimeters or less on the surface of the skin.

There is no limit to how many people it can monitor at one time. Even with clothes or a blanket on, the sensor can still capture one's movements.

The group expects to see the sensor be put to use for preventing incidents such as suffocation while a child sleeps, or to watch over the elderly.

Additionally, the sensor will be useful to monitor the conditions of COVID-19 patients who are recuperating in their own homes or hotels since shortening of breath is one of the more severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Engineering of Kyoto University, Takuya Sakamoto commented, "We are hoping that this structure of monitoring someone who is unconscious will be a more common infrastructure in the future."

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210210/k10012860241000.html