PanopticAI’s Vital Signs App Became World’s First FDA-Cleared App for Contactless Pulse Rate Measurement

PanopticAI’s co-founders Dr. Kyle Wong (second right), Dr. Nick Chin (second left) and Mr. Teric Chan (first right), and their advisor Prof. Richard So (first left), Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies). [Download Photo]

PanopticAI, a health technology start-up founded by three HKUST engineering alumni, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its contactless vital signs monitoring software. The PanopticAI Vital Signs app is the first FDA-cleared mobile application for contactless pulse rate measurement using the built-in camera of iPhones and iPads. This also distinguishes PanopticAI as the first Hong Kong-based company to achieve FDA clearance for a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).

The three co-founders of PanopticAI are:

Dr. Kyle WONG (2023 PhD in Bioengineering)
Dr. Nick CHIN (2021 PhD in Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, 2014 MSc in Telecommunications, 2013 BEng in Electronic Engineering)
Mr. Teric CHAN (2021 MPhil in Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics, 2017 BEng in Mechanical Engineering)

They were guided by their supervisor, Prof. Richard So, Associate Dean of Engineering (Research and Graduate Studies) and Professor in both the Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

PanopticAI’s technology leverages proprietary remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) algorithms to transform readily available smartphones and tablets into medical-grade vital sign monitors. Advanced AI and signal processing techniques are used to analyze subtle color changes in the skin captured by the device’s camera, accurately measuring vital signs like pulse rate in just 30 seconds with a high accuracy rate of 98%.

This FDA clearance represents a significant milestone in PanopticAI’s mission to make healthcare more accessible and scalable. By leveraging the ubiquity of smartphones, PanopticAI’s technology eliminates the need for specialized equipment, significantly reducing costs and expanding access to vital sign monitoring for a wider population. The technology is already used by hospitals, insurance providers and pharmacies.

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