Mitsubishi Electric Develops Advanced Contactless Body Sensor for High-Precision Health Monitoring
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced the development of a cutting-edge contactless body data sensor capable of detecting subtle changes in vital indicators such as heart rate, respiration, and other key physiological metrics with remarkable precision. This innovation allows for continuous and accurate daily measurement of vital signs in environments where conventional contact-based devices, such as smartwatches or wearable sensors, may be impractical or uncomfortable. The new technology is designed to enhance health, security, and overall well-being by enabling individuals—particularly the elderly—to monitor and manage critical body data without direct contact.
With the rising adoption of smartwatches and other wearable devices, an increasing number of people are regularly tracking their health metrics to assess their physical and mental condition. This self-monitoring trend is not only beneficial for personal health management but is also attracting the attention of businesses. Companies are increasingly recognizing that employees’ health and productivity are closely linked. Consequently, there is growing interest in solutions that leverage vital body data to monitor employees’ physical and mental states, helping organizations create safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces. Such technology can also provide insights into areas where workplace environments or employee routines may need improvement, contributing to overall organizational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
In Japan, the effective collection and utilization of daily biosensing data is seen as an essential tool to help achieve the government’s ambitious goal of extending healthy life expectancy by more than three years by 2040. While wearable contact-based devices such as smartwatches have become widespread, their effectiveness can be limited in certain scenarios. Issues such as discomfort from prolonged wear, potential skin irritation, or the need to ensure user safety may hinder continuous monitoring. As a result, there is increasing interest in non-contact sensors that can measure vital signs with high precision while addressing these limitations.
Mitsubishi Electric’s newly developed sensor is a pioneering non-contact device capable of monitoring heart rate and other vital indicators without direct skin contact. The technology works by detecting minute variations in the surface of the human body and internal organs, using weak radio waves to sense subtle changes in the surrounding electromagnetic field. The sensor can automatically recognize unique characteristics of each individual, such as body composition and sensor positioning, and adjust its sensitivity accordingly to maintain stable and accurate monitoring. Notably, the sensor can measure heartbeats through clothing, further enhancing its convenience and usability for everyday applications. By detecting electromagnetic field changes associated with vital signs, the device achieves high-precision monitoring comparable to contact-based devices.
The sensor also incorporates multimodal sensing technology and a heartbeat interval extraction algorithm powered by machine learning, ensuring a level of accuracy on par with devices such as smartwatches. This combination of advanced sensing and AI-based analysis allows for reliable measurements even in challenging conditions. Mitsubishi Electric envisions expanding the application of this technology, enabling users to choose from a variety of sensor devices tailored to specific usage scenarios, personal health needs, and individual preferences.
Looking ahead, Mitsubishi Electric plans to continue advancing its research and development in the field of vital sensing technology. Beyond personal health monitoring, the company aims to leverage high-precision organ data to analyze psychological and physiological states in workplace environments. The insights gained could allow organizations to design more personalized workspaces and schedules that optimize employee well-being and productivity. Furthermore, Mitsubishi Electric is exploring applications of this technology beyond heartbeat measurement, aiming to contribute to broader improvements in public health, personal security, and peace of mind.
By pioneering contactless, high-precision body monitoring, Mitsubishi Electric is setting a new standard in health technology. The innovation not only addresses the limitations of conventional wearable devices but also opens doors to new possibilities in personal health management, workplace wellness, and elderly care. With this technology, individuals can manage their health more effectively, companies can foster safer and more supportive work environments, and society as a whole can move closer to achieving longer, healthier lifespans.
