Heart Rate Detection Using an Event Camera

Event cameras, also known as neuromorphic cameras, are an emerging technology that offer advantages over traditional shutter and frame-based cameras, including high temporal resolution, low power consumption, and selective data acquisition. In this study we harnesses the capabilities of event-based cameras to capture subtle changes in the surface of the skin caused by the pulsatile flow of blood in the wrist region. We show how an event camera can be used for continuous non-invasive monitoring of heart rate (HR). Event camera video data from 25 participants with varying age groups and skin colours, was collected and analysed. Ground-truth HR measurements were used to evaluate of the accuracy of automatic detection of HR from event camera data. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using event cameras for HR detection.