RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS-NYCU Develops Smartphone-Based, Contactless System for Heart Rhythm Monitoring Without ECG-National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Source: https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/view?module=headnews&id=623&serno=4de157c1-9032-471b-a5b9-b8c321e95c66 Parent: https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/list?module=headnews&id=623
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- Update Date：2025-09-18
- Units：Office of International Promotion and Outreach
NYCU Develops Smartphone-Based, Contactless System for Heart Rhythm Monitoring Without ECG
The contactless heart monitoring technology developed by NYCU was showcased at CES in the United States.
Edited by Chance Lai\ ______
What if checking your heart health was as easy as looking into your phone’s camera? A research team led by Professor Bing-Fei Wu at the Institute of Electrical and Control Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), has developed a breakthrough system that can detect atrial fibrillation (AF)—a significant risk factor for stroke—using only the camera of a smartphone or laptop.\ \ This non-contact, lightweight solution enables users to monitor heart rhythms in real-world settings, without the need for traditional ECG devices or physical sensors.\ \ Atrial Fibrillation, Reimagined for Everyday Life\ \ AF is closely associated with stroke risk, yet it often goes undetected until it’s too late. Conventional detection methods rely heavily on contact-based equipment, such as ECGs, which can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods and are not always accessible outside of clinical settings.\ \ To address this critical gap, Prof. Wu’s team turned to remote photoplethysmography (rPPG)—a technique that captures microvascular color changes on a person’s face via a standard camera. By analyzing these subtle signals, the system accurately estimates heart rate data in real-time.\ \ Smart AI, No Cloud Required\ \ The team also introduced a novel signal processing algorithm that significantly reduces interference caused by head movement and lighting changes—two common challenges in daily environments. Instead of relying on computationally intensive deep-learning models, the system employs a lightweight AI architecture with significantly reduced parameters and minimal latency.\ \ This means it can deliver high-performance analysis without an internet connection, opening new frontiers in offline, personalized health monitoring.\ \ Clinically Validated with 450+ Subjects\ \ To ensure clinical reliability, the team partnered with Dr. Yu Sun from En Chu Kong Hospital to establish a comprehensive video database featuring over 450 volunteers. The dataset includes recordings of individuals with normal heart rhythms, AF, and other arrhythmias, captured under realistic lighting and motion conditions.\ \ Even in these challenging environments, the system demonstrated high accuracy and stability, earning recognition from both the academic and tech communities.
\ Global Recognition and Real-World Application\ \ The research results were published in the IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics, where the study was selected as a Feature Article. The project also won the Excellence Award in Artificial Intelligence at the 2024 TSC Thesis Awards (崇越論文大賞).\ \ Most notably, the technology was deployed in commercial devices, such as laptops and smartphones, and showcased in the FaceHeart CardioMirror. This intelligent health mirror won a CES 2025 Innovation Award in Digital Health at the world’s largest consumer tech event.\ \ A Game-Changer for Telehealth and Preventive Care\ \ This innovation isn’t just a lab prototype—it’s a real-world solution with the potential to transform telemedicine, community screening, and early diagnosis for high-risk groups. It empowers individuals to detect signs of cardiovascular distress early, giving doctors and patients more time to act before emergencies strike.\ \ As the world continues to shift toward remote healthcare, NYCU’s contactless AF monitoring system exemplifies the power of human-centered AI to make everyday health smarter, safer, and more accessible.\ \ Prof. Bing-Fei Wu, Institute of Electrical and Control Engineering at NYCU (Photo credit: Far Eastern Y.Z. Hsu Foundation)
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