Google's facial recognition tech accurately tracks heart rates

Google's innovative new system uses facial recognition technology to estimate a user's heart rate, offering a quick and non-invasive way to monitor cardiovascular health.

Passive heart rate monitoring makes smartphones health trackers

Researchers at Google have developed a method called Passive Heart Rate Monitoring (PHRM) that leverages a smartphone's selfie camera to track a person's heart rate. Unlike existing systems, PHRM doesn't require users to perform any specific actions or wear additional accessories.

The system works by capturing 8-second video clips of a user's face during normal phone use, typically after face unlock. These clips are then analyzed by a neural network to estimate heart rate and resting heart rate, delivering results that match those from electrocardiograms (ECGs) and wearable devices.

Google trained PHRM on over 350,000 video clips from nearly 700 participants, ensuring the technology performs well across various skin tones. In a real-world test, participants used their own phones for a week while wearing ECG gear and a Fitbit tracker, with PHRM continuing to provide accurate readings.

While the system still faces challenges, particularly with darker skin tones, Google's PHRM has the potential to turn smartphones into widely-used health trackers. With over five billion smartphone owners worldwide, this technology could greatly expand access to heart rate monitoring and contribute to early detection of cardiovascular issues.