Image by Raj Kumar Joshi, from Unsplash
Wi-Fi Signals Can Now Monitor Heart Rate Without Wearables
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
A team at the University of California, Santa Cruz has developed a system that uses ordinary Wi-Fi signals to monitor a person’s heart rate.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Pulse-Fi uses Wi-Fi signals to monitor heart rate without wearable devices.
- AI model filters signal changes and estimates heart rate in real time.
- Devices used are inexpensive: ESP32 ($5–$10) and Raspberry Pi ($30).
The system known as Pulse-Fi enables users to monitor vital signs at a low cost through contactless methods that eliminate the need for wearable devices, as first reported by Spectrum .
The project leader Katia Obraczka explained that “using wearables to monitor vitals can be uncomfortable, have weak adherence, and have limited accessibility due to cost,,” as reported by Spectrum.
The new system enables the detection of stress as well as dehydration and cardiac disease and other medical conditions through continuous heart rate tracking.
Obraczka explains that the new method uses Wi-Fi signal wave changes to detect heartbeats instead of camera-based systems which fail in low light and raise privacy issues.
“Pulse-Fi uses ordinary Wi-Fi signals to monitor your heartbeat without touching you. It captures tiny changes in the Wi-Fi signal waves caused by heart beats,” Obraczka said as reported by Spectrum.
The team designed Pulse-Fi to filter out background noise and detect small changes in signal amplitude. The system depends on Raspberry Pi devices that run an AI model to calculate heart rates in real time.
Pulse-Fi was tested in two experiments. Seven volunteers participated in the first test by sitting 1–3 meters away from two ESP32 microcontrollers while researchers measured their heart rates against pulse oximeter readings.
In the second, over 100 participants were monitored in various positions, including walking, running in place, sitting, and standing. The results demonstrated a heart rate measurement accuracy of less than 1.5 beats-per-minute which matched current sensor performance while participants moved or stood at distances up to 10 feet.
Obraczka said the AI model generalized well to new environments. The model succeeded in generalizing to the new environment because it learned to recognize patterns which allowed it to apply its knowledge to new situations.
The cost of devices remains affordable because ESP32 chips sell for $5 to $10 while Raspberry Pis can be purchased for $30.
Currently, Pulse-Fi is tested with a single user, but the team is beginning pilots with multiple users.
Obraczka added, “In addition to working on multi-user environments, we are also exploring other wellness and healthcare applications for Pulse-Fi,” including sleep apnea and breathing rate monitoring.
Image by Ayman Ahmed, from Unsplash
Japan Deploys Laser Drones to Stop Bird Flu Outbreaks
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Japanese telecommunications giant NTT has launched a new high-tech defense against avian influenza , drones equipped with repellent lasers designed to scare off wild birds before they spread the deadly virus.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Over 3.3 million chickens were culled in Chiba early 2025.
- Lasers emit red and green rays to scare off wild birds.
- The Chiba government offers subsidies covering one-third of installation costs.
The project, developed by NTT e-Drone Technology and NTT East Japan in collaboration with Chiba Prefecture, aims to protect the local poultry industry after a severe bird flu outbreak earlier this year led to the culling of more than 3.3 million chickens.
“Between January and February 2025, a severe situation unfolded within Chiba Prefecture, resulting in the culling of over 3.3 million poultry,” NTT said in its press release , as reported by Tom’s Hardware .
Wild birds such as crows and pigeons are known carriers of avian influenza, spreading the virus through direct contact or droppings.
The new system uses the BB102 drone, which fires multiple red and green laser beams proven to deter “pigeons, crows, starlings, deer, etc.” The light system uses flickering beams instead of steady beams to stop birds from getting used to the light.
NTT reports that the lasers produce an automatic sense of unease in animals which prevents them from accessing poultry areas through methods that do not involve dangerous substances or loud sounds.
The drones can operate autonomously, covering wide areas and adapting to changing routes of bird intrusion.
“By equipping the drone manufactured by NTT e-Drone with the bird and animal pest repellent device ‘Kurna Move,’ we can effectively prevent wild birds from entering poultry farms,” the company explained.
The Chiba government provides financial support through subsidies which pay up to one-third of installation expenses from its ¥20 million budget to promote adoption. NTT plans to expand the technology beyond Chiba to other regions and explore similar uses for disinfection and heat control in farms.
The program shows how Japan continues to adopt automated sustainable systems for agricultural disease protection at an increasing rate.
