Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG)

To understand rPPG, it’s important first to understand PPG itself. PPG is tool that measures parameters like heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), and more. To do so, PPG uses a physical sensor that combines a light source and a photodetector. When this sensor touches the body, the photodetector detects changes to the illuminated tissue. In doing so, PPG technology can collect many different physiologic measurements.

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PPG is useful in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Healthcare providers can use it to monitor vital signs, identify health issues early, and promote healthier lifestyles in their patients. However, recent breakthroughs in AI and tech have allowed us to further advance the capabilities of PPG, specifically with the development of rPPG.

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rPPG works similarly to PPG but uses a camera to collect data instead of physical contact with a sensor. With a simple video of your face from your smartphone, rPPG can analyze subtle changes to the skin’s color to create a remote PPG signal. As a result, rPPG is a useful and non-invasive alternative to traditional PPG.

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Using face-scanning technology and AI magic, rPPG detects color fluctuations within the skin that correspond to blood volume changes in the vessels. This process is similar to how pulse oximeters work, but instead of direct contact with the skin, rPPG can measure these changes remotely. It can help to measure heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, cardiac stress, cardiac workload, breathing rate, and body mass index (BMI).