MediaTek Sensio Unveiled, a 6-in-1 Smartphone Biosensor Module for Health Monitoring

MediaTek announced the launch of the new MediaTek Sensio, a 6-in-1 smartphone biosensor module on Thursday. The MediaTek Sensio is a health monitoring module that can perform tasks like tracking heartbeat rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure trends. It can measure blood oxygen levels and volume of blood (Photoplethysmography or PPG), and also perform an Electrocardiography (ECG) test.

MediaTek claims the Sensio can deliver results for these six health data points within 60 seconds.

The MediaTek Sensio (MT6381) has integrated software designed specifically to offer healthcare data. Consisting of electrical, optical, and processing components, the MediaTek Sensio can be embedded into smartphones without the need of multiple sensors. Smartphone OEMs can supposedly leverage native and third-party applications to use the module.

The health monitoring module employs a combination of LEDs (light emitting diodes) and a light sensitive sensor to measure the variations in red and infrared light from the user's fingertips. The MediaTek Sensio can measure ECG and PPG levels by creating a closed loop between the user's heart and the biosensor. This is made possible when the user touches the electrical sensors and electrodes on the device.

Dimensions of the MediaTek Sensio (MT6381) are 6.8x4.93x1.2mm. The sensor also comes with an OLGA 22-pin package. A Mediatek System-On-Chip (SoC) is reportedly not required for the MediaTek Sensio to work, says Digital Trends. Any smartphone manufacturer can use the module on their phone despite the processor used.

"Giving people the power to access their health information with a smartphone is a major step in making the world a healthier place," said Dr. Yenchi Lee, Sr. Director of Product Marketing for MediaTek's wireless business.

The MediaTek Sensio will be available for smartphone manufacturers starting early 2018. Earlier this year, MediaTek had announced the launch of its first narrow band Internet of Things SoC targeted at low-cost IoT devices.