HeartBit teams up with IBM on a wearable ECG monitor
Exercise is important for a healthy life, but it’s easy to overdo it. HeartBit saw an oppportunity in the market for a wearable ECG device that keeps tabs on heart’s stress levels. The Hungarian startup embraced IBM Cloud and Watson technologies, to make this vision a reality.
Essential reading: Best heart rate training monitors
A heart rate chest strap is very useful. It tells you exactly where you heart rate is, so you can train in the most efficient way to achieve your goals. Many people heart rate zone train, and for a reason. This type of training helps them reach their top potential in the shortest amount of time possible.
HeartBit looks like a chest strap but that is where the similarity ends. To use, you need to slip the gizmo into a special training top made of high-quality moisture-control fabrics. From there it takes real-time heart monitoring to the next level by measuring electrical signals produced by your heart with laboratory-like accuracy.
HeartBit essentially acts like a 3-lead 5-sensor ECG monitor that can detect signs of arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation and warn you of potential anomalies. The device allows users to keep their cardiac health in check so they can strive towards their fitness goals without incurring any harm.
“The road to fitness is different for every person: it can depend on their unique physiology, preferences and the conditions in which they’re exercising,” said George Kozmann Jr., CEO of HeartBit
“We wanted to tap into a growing enthusiasm for running and other cardio exercise by empowering people to work out safely – achieving their fitness goals while protecting their most important organ.”
HeartBit takes measurements at a frequency of 2,000 Hz per electrode, which means 10,000 data points per second in total. The company says a typical chest strap measures one or two data points per second.
To fulfil this vision, the 5 strong team has teamed up with IBM. The tech giant provides products validation and stores all customer session data in the BlueMix cloud service. HeartBit also uses IBM Watson Data Science to prepare charts and reports for end users.
The product sounds very much like QardioCore, an FDA approved wearable ECG/EKG monitor. Originally announced at CES 2015 this is a wireless electrocardiogram monitor designed to improve detection and management of cardiac conditions. Its suffered through quite a few delays, but is now available in select countries.
HeartBit is still in the works and we have no details on final pricing or a launch date. You can register, though, on the company’s website to be kept informed of progress.
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