Wearable technology research at Stanford

An accurate wearable calorie burn counter - A system made with two inexpensive sensors proves to be more accurate than smartwatches for measuring calories burned during activity – and the instructions for making the system yourself are available for free online.

Google Glass helps kids with autism read facial expressions - Wearing a device that identifies other people’s facial expressions can help children with autism develop better social skills, a Stanford pilot study has demonstrated.

Through Apple Heart study, Stanford medicine researchers show wearable technology can help detect atrial fibrillation - Study shows that Apple Watch app can identify heart rhythm irregularities, which can help catch atrial fibrillation.

Study shows how big data can be used for personal health - Years-long tracking of individuals’ biology helped define what it meant for them to be healthy and showed how changes from the norm could signal disease, a Stanford-led study reports.

Smartwatch data can predict blood test results, study reports - Stanford researchers found that data from smartwatches can flag early signs of some health conditions and predict the results of simple blood tests.

Diabetic-level glucose spikes seen in healthy people - A study out of Stanford in which blood sugar levels were continuously monitored reveals that even people who think they’re “healthy” should pay attention to what they eat.

Smartwatch can detect early signs of illness - Stanford Medicine scientists have devised a smartwatch-based “alarm system” that goes off when it detects signs of infection.

Smartphone app encourages physical activity, study finds - Using a smartphone app, Stanford scientists and their colleagues conducted the first entirely digital randomized clinical trial to boost exercise among participants.

Tracking COVID-19 in Pac-12 athletes using smartwatches - Stanford Medicine researchers and collaborators aiming to predict and detect COVID-19 through smartwatch data expand user base into Pac-12 athletes.

Tracking the movements, minds of surgeons to improve performance - Stanford scientist Carla Pugh has spent years developing wearable technologies for surgeons. Her goal: Use data to improve surgical decision-making.

Wireless sensors stick to skin and track health - Stanford engineers have developed experimental stickers that pick up physiological signals emanating from the skin, then wirelessly beam these health readings to a receiver clipped onto clothing. It’s all part of a system called BodyNet.

We are bombarded by thousands of diverse species and chemicals - Stanford scientists have measured the human “exposome,” or the particulates, chemicals and microbes that individually swaddle us all, in unprecedented detail.

Ankle exoskeleton enables faster walking - In lab tests, researchers found that an optimized ankle exoskeleton system increased participants’ walking speed by about 40 percent compared with their regular speed. The researchers hope someday to help restore walking speed in older adults.

Beyond fitness trackers: Motivating the unmotivated to exercise more - Beyond fitness trackers: Motivating the unmotivated to exercise more

A wearable device measures cortisol in sweat - By drawing in a bit of sweat, a patch developed in the lab of Alberto Salleo can reveal how much cortisol a person is producing. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone but is involved in many important physiological functions.

Building a wearable that can catch you when you stumble - An AI-based robotics system can predict and prevent falls in high-risk populations.

Stanford Medicine scientists hope to use data from wearable devices to predict illness, including COVID-19 - Researchers from Stanford Medicine and their collaborators aim to predict the onset of viral infection through data provided by wearable technology. What they need now are participants.

Stanford develops ‘autofocals’ – glasses that track your eyes to focus on what you see - By using eye-tracking technology to automatically control a pair of autofocus lenses, engineers have created a prototype for “autofocals” designed to restore proper vision in people who would ordinarily need progressive lenses.

A fitness app with a story to tell: Can narrative keep us moving? - Stanford researchers are developing a fitness app called WhoIsZuki that uses storytelling to keep users active.

Ankle exoskeleton makes running easier - Researchers find that a motorized device that attaches around the ankle and foot can drastically reduce the energy cost of running.

Researchers building glove to treat symptoms of stroke - Strokes often have a devastating impact on our hands. Now, Stanford researchers are collaborating on a vibrating glove that could improve hand function after a stroke.