Researchers are developing a ‘smart’ mirror that detects changes in an individual’s face and breath to help them monitor their health.
The ‘Wize Mirror’ will use an array of sensors to detect changes in an individual’s face and breath that point to the onset of diabetes, a heart attack or other cardiovascular diseases.
Being developed by Semeoticons, a research group backed by the European Commission, it will then provide a health score and suggest lifestyle changes.
A multispectral imaging system, which uses five cameras to capture specific wavelengths of light and a skin heater to stimulate the face, will analyze tissue for fat content and blood for hemoglobin levels.
A 3D scanner constructs a digital model of the face for analysis by software for shape changes, such as weight gain or swelling, while software checks for signs of stress, fatigue or anxiety, The Times reported.
The ‘Wize Sniffer’ captures breath samples to detect toxic molecules that suggest the use of tobacco and alcohol. The whole process takes about a minute.
Clinical trials are expected to begin next year in Italy and France.
The Wize Mirror intends to play the role of a seasoned primary care physician, to be able to notice symptoms in a patient by simply taking a look at them. Signals to watch out for are skin tone, heart rate, and body temperature, and the Wize Mirror camera and sensors will do the same, reports ubergizmo.com
EU researchers hope the Wize Mirror will replace the bathroom mirror, and “will help keep an eye on you every single morning, hopefully catching signs of cardio-metabolic diseases.”
Smart mirrors are not exactly a new innovation, although advancements have seen additional functions being thrown into the mix. For instance, this year saw a DIY Smart Mirror that shows notifications from smartphones and tablets, while there is also a Panasonic Digital Mirror that targets the medical rehab niche. Alternatively, a Cardiocam Mirror shows off one’s heart rate, while there is an Android-powered Seraku prototype mirror that did not really make it to the production line.
