Belfast software company B-Secur has teamed up with a US technology giant to create a unique sensor which delivers health information to wearable devices.
The collaboration with Maxim Integrated sees B-Secur鈥檚 technology, which is capable of assessing an individual鈥檚 identity and health by listening to their heartbeat, used in the production of an ultra-low power sensory hub used in wearable wrist, finger and chest applications, such as smart watches, clothing, rings and chest straps.
B-Secur鈥檚 chief commercial officer Ben Carter said the tie up will speed up the development of wearable devices.
鈥淧artnering with a company like Maxim Integrated, combining our FDA cleared health algorithms and their low power ECG sensor has allowed us to create a fully integrated turnkey medical grade solution that speeds time to market for healthcare and consumer applications.鈥
B-Secure received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its software HeartKey last month, a major coup for the company and for heart health innovation worldwide, it said.
For the first time, companies making consumer wearable devices can now generate advanced medical-grade wellness and health data from any device and platform.
鈥淲ith HeartKey, ECG is used to determine who you are and how you are at the same time, and can help protect lives, data, and devices,鈥 the company said. 鈥淲ith heart disease being the world鈥檚 single biggest killer, B-Secur is now perfectly positioned to help save lives.鈥
Kris Ardis of Maxim Integrated said the collaboration has been significant for the development of its products.
鈥淭he announcement today is a great example of how we have worked together with B-Secur to incorporate intelligent features in low power, small devices,鈥 he said.
Founded in Belfast and headquartered at Catalyst in The Innovation Center, B-Secur says it is on a mission to revolutionise the way people experience technology in the connected world using their unique heartbeat.
The company employs 35 engineers and has invested many years of advanced, scientific research in ECG to become a market leader in the development and integration of ECG technology, partnering with some of the world's leading technology companies.