Germany's Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) developed smart earphones that can check out your vitals as you listen to music. Developed by Dr. Tobias Röddiger and colleagues, the OpenEarable 2.0 earphones do, can measure over 30 physiological parameters.
The OpenEarables, wearable is currently available for preorder at a price of €2,348 (about US$2,566). Because the earbuds and the software that goes with them are open-source, anybody can modify them and share the results with other users, reports New Atlas.
The OpenEarables might theoretically be used in applications like workplace safety or sporting performance analysis in addition to its evident use in the medical field.
Indeed, stereophonic music streamed from a linked smartphone can be played back by the devices. Sensor data sent by the OpenEarables is processed and shown by an app on the same phone.
Related AI-Powered Sleep-Enhancing Earbuds
Importantly, Röddiger told New Atlas that the earbuds can simultaneously collect their physiological data and play music, with none interfering with the other. It should be mentioned, though, that the earphones work only with Android phones that enable Bluetooth LE Audio, which is not yet supported by iPhones.
They can follow the user's heart activity and verify their identification by using two infrasound/ultrasound microphones, one facing into the ear canal and the other out of it. In contrast, an onboard bone-conduction microphone may detect if the user is eating, mouthing words that are not uttered aloud, or grinding their teeth when they are asleep.
Additionally, there is an optical skin temperature sensor for measuring body temperature or tracking ovulation, as well as a blood-oxygen-level-tracking pulse oximeter that can be used to evaluate stress or energy expenditure and identify sleep apnea. Additional sensors include a 9-axis IMU (inertial measuring unit) that monitors respiration rates and exercise progress, as well as an ear canal pressure sensor that detects feeding and tongue motions.
One 45-minute USB charge of each earphone's battery should reportedly be good for up to eight hours of runtime, depending on usage.
