Camera-based health-checking methods are attracting expanded interest in the tech and healthcare markets.

In preparation for certification of Shen.AI as a medical device, we conducted preclinical validation studies that at the same time disprove the most popular myths about the accuracy of camera-based health monitoring.

We outline three popular views on remote health-checking accuracy we believe are outdated.

1. To make an accurate measurement you need a specialized device: mistake.

This is a popular opinion, although it turns out not to be true. Preclinical validation study of Shen.AI Vital was conducted by researchers from the Wroclaw Medical University, the leading University in Poland in the clinical and health subject.

The study concerned precision and accuracy of heart rate, heart rate variability and breathing rate measurements using Shen.AI Vitals technology. During this study, scientists used the average smartphone. This is significant information in the context of subsequent availability for standard users.

Smartphone, tablet, laptop – these devices are enough to perform an accurate measurement of vital functions using Shen.AI technology.

2. The remote health checking study is conducted only internally: sometimes, but not in this case.

Analyzing such studies, you should look at the research methodology and the unit that conducts it.

Wroclaw Medical University cooperates with Shen.AI in researching Shen.AI technology. For this purpose, Shen.AI provides the necessary information and provides technological solutions to perform measurements. However, Shen.AI does not influence the analysis of this data and its subsequent interpretation in any way. All tests carried out are fully independent, and the interpretation of the results is solely the responsibility of scientists at the Medical University of Wroclaw.

3. Camera-based health checking is less accurate than smartwatches: mistake. It’s comparable.

Shen.AI Vital currently measures heart rate, heart rate variability and breathing rate, similar to smartwatches. The technology created by the MX Labs team is being developed to measure further vital parameters, such as blood pressure and stress index in the future. The premiere of new features will take place in 2023. We already know that in terms of the range of measurements, Shen.AI will have a wider range than regular smartwatches.

But how does Shen.AI Vital accuracy compare to smartwatches?

When comparing accuracy data for Shen.AI and smartwatches, we took into account the main metric – heart rate due to available research reports.

According to the study on smartwatches, the accuracy of measuring heart rate is similar to Shen.AI Vital technology. The accuracy of measuring the heart rate by the smartwatch varies depending on the model 100% – 94% (during standard measurement). The Apple Watch showed the highest accuracy and Galaxy was comparable. Shen.AI showed 99.5% accuracy when measuring standard heart rate.

In summary, a camera-based health-checking method like Shen.AI Vital is just as accurate as a smartwatch worn directly on the skin. It shows how much potential contactless methods have in the development of healthcare.

Are you inquisitive? Do you put the measurement accuracy of new technologies in the first place? We are the same.

Check the preclinical validation report from the study about Shen.AI accuracy.

About the authors of the study

Bartłomiej Jerzy Paleczny, Ph.D.

Department of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology
Wroclaw Medical University

Bartłomiej Jerzy Paleczny, Ph.D. is mostly focused on the mechanisms of reflex regulation, exercised by the autonomic nervous system, in the cardiovascular and respiratory system in humans, with particular emphasis on reflexes from chemoreceptors and arterial baroreceptors.

Tymoteusz Okupnik, MSc
Department of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology
Wroclaw Medical University

Tymoteusz Okupnik’s activity is focused on the study of the physiology of physical effort and its impact on reflex mechanisms in the autonomic nervous system, mainly in the cardiovascular systems and respiratory. Since 2020, Tymoteusz Okupnik has been a member of the Polish Physiological Society (PPS).