Google Can Turn Any ANC Earbuds Into Cardiac Monitors With A Software Update

Google researchers have developed a new technology that turns any active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds into cardiac monitors. The technology is called APG (Audioplethysmography) and can upgrade any existing ANC earbuds with the help of a software update.

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What can ANC earbuds do?

The results from the research were published in a paper titled "APG: Audioplethysmography for Cardiac Monitoring in Hearables." According to Google, APG is an acoustic sensing system that is able to send low-intensity ultrasound probing signal that uses the speakers on ANC earbuds and headphones and then receives the echoes through the onboard microphones.

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Based on this, Google used a mathematical model to analyse and convert the ultrasound echoes into heart rate readings. Google conducted an eight-month field study with 153 participants to evaluate APG, finding that it was highly accurate in reporting heart rate readings (3.21% median error) and heart rate variability readings (2.70% median error).

How effective is the technology?

The tech is able to monitor cardiac activity when music is playing on the earbuds and when when the body is performing activities like running. Google now aims to test APG with more high-action activities like hiking, weightlifting, boxing, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) to improve the tech's performance.

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According to the study, APG does not affect battery life and seal conditions, works with all skin tones, and is resilient to motion artefacts.

Google believes that APG has the potential to be used in many potential health research opportunities. What do you think about the scope of using wireless ANC earbuds to measure your heart rate? Let us know in the comments below.?Click here?for more how-to guides.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.??