PulseOn makes world’s smallest wrist-wearable heart monitor

The world's smallest wrist-worn heart monitor has been developed by PulseOn in collaboration with the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM).

It is being targeted at the fitness market. Now available for pre-ordering the new monitor will be available in September 2014.

CSEM technology
To produce the new product, PulseOn - a company spun off from Nokia in 2012 - has leaned heavily on CSEM expertise in plastic monitoring circuits.

The vital sign monitoring technology pioneered by the Swiss non-profit group uses multi-parameter opto-inertial measurements from optical sensors and an accelerometer. For the PulseOn wrist device CSEM's engineers have refined the technique so as the quality of its output is equivalent to that from a chest-mounted electrocardiogram (ECG).

This is being twinned with an ultra-low power application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed by CSEM.

This means the PulseOn monitor will only weigh 0.029kg and can be worn like any lightweight digital watch during cardio-intensive exercise.

Price and size
The device will sell for €199 in the EU, and more cheaply at $199 on the US market. The face of the PulseOn wrist-monitor is 28mm by 32mm; it has an OLED screen and is 11mm thick. The battery will keep the device running for 12 hours' worth of sporting activity or five days at a rest state. It then requires one hour to recharge.

User-friendly
The PulseOn device will be fitted with software to allow a user to get the most out of the data obtained from the CSEM sensors.

The Finnish design team state that by connecting the output to an Apple or Android smartphone it can deliver meaningful personalised feedback to the athlete. This will allow them to track progress in their cardiovascular performance over a training session and can advise on the optimal balance between training and recovery periods.