LifeQ , the world-leading independent provider of wearable-derived health information with offices in South Africa, the USA and Netherlands, today announced that Xiaomi, a Chinese multinational electronics company, has incorporated its new Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) solution in the recent global release of the Xiaomi Mi Smartwatch.

The need for wrist worn consumer wearables to measure blood oxygen levels has been highlighted by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. LifeQ's release of its new Pulse Oximetry solution follows closely behind the release of LifeQ's early warning and disease tracking system for COVID-19 that has been implemented by businesses to help employees and keep the workplace safe. LifeQ's COVID-19 solution has already proven effective providing early warnings up to a week prior to clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

A major challenge of wearables to accurately determine blood oxygen levels is the accuracy of the physiological signals generated by its sensors. LifeQ's patented on-device solutions that are utilized by leading global consumer electronics companies, including Xiaomi, delivers a superior SpO2 solution enabled through advanced signal conditioning techniques that deliver continuous accurate biometric monitoring while maintaining the super low power performance of the device.

(Xiaomi Mi-Watch)

The LifeQ solution uses reflected light from a sensor embedded in the back of a wrist worn smartwatch and is capable of measuring SpO2 either through user-initiated tests or on a continuous basis. The superior accuracy of the solution will now open up the opportunity to procure regulatory approvals for a variety of solutions that requires the monitoring of blood oxygen levels over time, including the relative sudden drops that occur over night for people with Sleep Apnea and for other clinical issues.

"The incorporation of our blood oxygen measurement capabilities into the Xiaomi Mi Smart Watch is the culmination of years of research working with leading device, silicon and sensor partners across the globe," says Laurie Olivier, CEO of LifeQ.

(Xiaomi Mi-Watch SpO2)

The Xiaomi Mi-watch uses a brand-new sensor designed by LifeQ in partnership with Texas Instruments. This sensor combines the power of the latest control chip from Texas Instruments and a unique multi wavelength (colour) sensor configuration designed by LifeQ that allows the device to capture four separate optical paths through the skin. These multiple paths allow the algorithms on the device to better isolate biometric signals from the environmental noise to deliver superior accuracy while limiting power consumption of the sensor. By adding the red and infrared light emitting diodes, the sensor is now able to deliver Pulse Oximetry for users.

This new LifeQ design also provides incredible flexibility to wearable device companies for innovation, using the multiple diodes, wavelengths and the power of the TI chip to deliver further improvements over the lifetime of the device.

About LifeQ:

LifeQ is the leading independent provider of biometrics and health information derived from wearable devices, used in world-leading health management solutions. LifeQ's information and solutions are already used by Fortune 500 customers and partners in a range of wearable devices, consumer-facing health and wellness platforms, and health-risk tracking applications for the global insurance and corporate wellness industries. With offices in South Africa, the USA and Netherlands, LifeQ is ideally placed to deliver solutions globally, leveraging the convergence of new technologies and consumer and business demand for new approaches to health management.