Technology

Wi-Fi signals used to measure heart rate accurately — relies on signal variations caused by the beating heart to determine BPM

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Sep 5, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

A research team has developed a method to accurately measure heart rates using Wi-Fi signals, utilizing a low-cost ESP32 chip and machine learning algorithm to detect changes in the signal caused by the beating heart. The system, named Pulse-Fi, can estimate heart rate with high accuracy even from a distance of up to 10 feet without the need for the user to wear any hardware. This wireless heart rate tracking system is affordable, costing between $5 and $10 to build, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional pulse oximeters. The team is also working on expanding the system to measure breathing rates, potentially aiding in the detection of conditions like sleep apnea in a more comfortable and convenient manner.

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