The ongoing development and spread of wearable devices equipped with sensors offer a wide range of new possibilities for personal health assistance. The discreet and continuous recording of health-relevant vital parameters enables an uninterrupted data stream, which in turn improves conventional detection methods. Anomalies can be identified more quickly, reducing the risk of undiagnosed illnesses.
Fraunhofer IGD develops new algorithms and technologies that make it possible to detect, analyze, and visualize vital data using body-worn sensors.
The researchers draw on many years of experience in the fields of intelligent sensor fusion and pattern recognition, allowing them to exploit the full potential of modern sensor technology.
The algorithms can be implemented on various devices (smartwatches, smartphones, etc.) and are highly versatile in their applications.
The algorithms developed by Fraunhofer IGD enable stable and precise acquisition of vital data using accelerometer sensors. In addition to smartwatches, we also use state-of-the-art wearable technologies such as smart patches (sensor patches), which allow for simultaneous data collection at different body sites with maximum wearing comfort.
By analyzing measured vital parameters such as heart rate, heart rate variability, or respiration rate, factors such as sleep quality, stress levels, and anomalies (e.g., sleep apnea, loss of consciousness) can be identified. Abnormal patterns are quickly detected thanks to comprehensive data acquisition, enabling medical interventions to be initiated more rapidly. Therapy success can also be monitored more effectively.
Multiple sensors and context-aware algorithms increase the robustness of detection. Optimizing the algorithms for low energy consumption enables significantly longer sensor operating times compared to conventional technologies.
Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD