Paradigm shifts often have ripple effects. Most wearable fitness and health devices are easily separated by category. On Health Tech Insider, we write about health-centric technology, usually but not restricted to wearables. Our sister site Wearable Tech Insider covers fitness devices. Another commonality is most devices, whether fitness or health focused, consist of a single form factor with one or more biometric sensors. BioStrap USA‘s BioStrap challenges both assumptions. BioStrap includes a wristband and a shoe clip. The company claims distinction for its fitness tracking features, but also for the product’s health monitoring applications with “clinical grade” photoplethysmography. So BioStrap represents a shift from single-device-single-purpose to a multifunction, multi-device product.
According to the company using two biometric sensing devices enables greater data accuracy with full body activity tracking than single measures. The wristband has both red and infrared photoplethysmography (PPG) optical sensors, a 3-axis accelerometer, and a gyrometer. The device is waterproof to 5 ATM and has Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and 5-day battery life. The shoe clip has a 3-axis accelerometer and a gyrometer. The clip is splashproof, supports Bluetooth connections and wireless charging, and is rated for an 8-day battery life. Both devices transmit data to a smartphone app.
On the fitness side, Biostrap uses machine-learning algorithms to recognize and classify exercise patterns, with the ability to learn, store, and recognize a library of hundreds of activities and report reps, duration, form, and consistency for each. While issuing a disclaimer that “Biostrap is not intended for diagnosing or treating medical conditions,” the company claims its PPG capability is “the same technology your doctor uses.” The device captures data of a “high-definition heartbeat.” According to BioStrap, most wearables with PPG sensors only capture beats during moderate exercise. Their clinical-grade sensor purports to gather “extremely precise heartbeat data.” During a 24-hour period, Biostrap captures more than 2,000 heartbeats, each of which is analyzed for 29 variables and compared to the other heartbeats in the same 24 hours. Biostrap says its system captures high-fidelity, raw PPG waveforms. This PPG sensor is also able to track blood oxygen saturation to assist with sleep analysis and to detect sleep apnea.
The promise of redundant biometric measurement from multiple devices including machine-learning recognition and analysis as well as “clinical-grade” health monitoring for both fitness and wellness sets a high bar. If it delivers on all promises, Biostrap may be a very special game-changing device. The Biostrap is available now on the company’s website for $249. The product comes with a dual-coil induction wireless charger, two extra wristbands, three wristband covers in different colors, and a USB cable.
