Google’s Pixel 4a that has the smartest camera around. Google’s AI tricks will cope with the latest millions-megapixel camera to retain Pixel’s aging Sony sensor. Google finds out a method of using simple pixel cameras for monitoring the heart rate and respiratory rate.
Yes you heard it right, Google will be introducing features that allow users to use only the camera on their smartphone and take vital health measurements. Beginning next month, all the Pixel phone users will get this feature through an update exclusively.
According to recent blogs, Google shared official details about this rear camera AI processing achievement. Google pixel users can calculate heart rate and respiratory functioning through the rear camera on its Pixel cameras. The functionality is currently only available on pixel devices and comes handy while using the Google Fit app. However, Google has made promise that this feature will release on other Android phones in near future.
Heart and Respiratory measurement on Pixel Devices
Though, this heart rate calculation concept is quite old, it was made available previously on other devices too. To recall, Samsung’s Galaxy S and Note devices features optical sensors which was used to access this feature. These phone comes with an optical sensor just alongside the main rear camera.
However, The trick from Google does not require any extra sensors. It uses the main camera and a set of smart check to monitor the data. Also Read: Instagram introduces “Recently Deleted” feature
Pixel Device: How it works?
To calculate heart rate, Google primarily uses the camera to detect “subtle color changes” in a user’s finger tip. Here, user is required to place his/her finger on the rear camera. The app senses the difference of color as the blood passes through the fingertip. With this data the app then pulls its smart algorithms for details. Currently, Google is working on a similar technology using color changes in a person’s face. However, this technology is still under explanatory phase.
To calculate breathe rate, the technology relies on a technique known as “optical flow”. Here, the person must cover the face as well as the chest inside the viewfinder of the camera. The application then tracks chest movement using machine learning, which is similar to an actual doctor.
Using these smart features, Google says that both these features give an idea of overall wellness. The Internal studies by Google indicated data were similar to a medical monitoring system consistently. According to studies, The respiratory rate feature was accurate within one breath per minute. While, the heart rate feature comes with an accuracy around 2%. All such reports comes after testing on a wide variety of people.
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