# 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

12

NYCU

National-Level\
Research Center

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20

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University-Level\
Research Centers

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28

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College-Level\
Research Centers

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167

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Total Awarded Students\
Participating in Competitions

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379

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Number of Academic Papers\
Published by Students or Exhibition\
Activities Organized by Students

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50+

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Number of International\
Collaborations on Academic\
Research Projects

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243

NYCU

Number of Students Attending\
International Conference

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[中文](https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/ch/app/news/view?module=headnews&id=2994&serno=075cd4af-7f27-4dd7-9131-490757bab885 "English to Chinese translation")

- 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**\
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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.\
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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.\
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**Atrial Fibrillation, Reimagined for Everyday Life**\
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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.\
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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.\
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**Smart AI, No Cloud Required**\
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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.\
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This means it can deliver high-performance analysis without an internet connection, opening new frontiers in offline, personalized health monitoring.\
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**Clinically Validated with 450+ Subjects**\
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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.\
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Even in these challenging environments, the system demonstrated high accuracy and stability, earning recognition from both the academic and tech communities.

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**Global Recognition and Real-World Application**\
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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).\
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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.\
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**A Game-Changer for Telehealth and Preventive Care**\
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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.\
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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.\
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*Prof. Bing-Fei Wu, Institute of Electrical and Control Engineering at NYCU (Photo credit: Far Eastern Y.Z. Hsu Foundation)*

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