More and more users are using a wearable device. Beyond fashion, most shoppers do it for the purpose of keeping their health in check. The vital data monitoring via smartwatch or smartband is now a very common thing, however we are not aware of the whole truth behind the technology on our wrist. New studies and new research have shown that the accuracy of data tracking it does not depend so much on the quality of the technology, how much ... since skin colour. Racist smartwatches then? No, just experimentation poco wide.
That's right: a study shows that the accuracy of a smartwatch's tracking depends on skin color. here is the data
According to a study presented at the 71st scientific session of theAmerican College of Cardiology, measurements of vital data via smartwatch they wouldn't always be accurate. When are they not? Specifically, the data resulting from the researches showed that the darker the user's skin, the more unreliable the data. How is it possible? It is simply one “Limitation” of wearables hardware. Or rather: it all depends on how, in general, smartwatches monitor data.
Daniel Koerber, MD, physician at the University of Alberta at Edmonton in Canada, and co-lead author of the study, said:
People should be aware that there are some limitations for people with darker skin tones when using these devices and the results should be taken with a grain of salt..
Algorithms are often developed on homogeneous white populations, which can lead to results not as generalizable as we would like. Ongoing research and development of these devices should emphasize the inclusion of populations of all skin tones so that the developed algorithms can best adapt to variations in the innate light absorption of the skin.
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Basically, it is understood that smartwatch monitoring studies are mostly done on people with fair skin. After the screening of 622 scientific articles, the researchers identified 10 studies reporting heart rate and rhythm data for wearable technology based on skin tone of the user. Of these studies, four found that heart rate measurements were significantly less accurate in darker-skinned individuals.
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But why this? Most smartwatches detect and monitor data via a light beam aimed at the surface of the wrist. Thanks to this beam of light it is possible to detect how much light is absorbed. It goes without saying that those with darker skin are likely to have "false" data as the amount of light reflected on black skin is less.
This study not only shows that technology doesn't do it all, it highlights another big problem. Users are unaware of these measurement differences. The risks are different: first of all a user could spend a lot of money to buy a smartwatch for measuring vital data aware that the more you spend, the better the quality of the detection; secondly, these data collected of measurement should be guaranteed to all in equal measure.
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It is important to explore alternative options to ensure we can create a fairer solution in healthcare and not just in the consumer industry“Said the scientist Koerber. We too are of the opinion that users should be aware of the limitations of the electronic devices they purchase. All the more so when these cost a lot.
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Through | SciTech Daily
