In the world of wearables, innovation often emerges from unexpected places — even the ocean. Researchers at the University of Missouri have unveiled a remarkable new development: a starfish-inspired wearable heart monitoring system that overcomes the limitations of traditional technologies during movement.
Most current heart-rate monitoring wearables, such as smartwatches, rely on a single fixed contact point on the skin. This can result in unreliable readings when the wearer is in motion.
Five-armed design
This new invention, recently published in Science Advances, marks a step forward in AI-powered, personalized, continuous cardiac care. While still under development, there is no confirmed timeline for when or if the ‘starfish’ monitor will become commercially available.
Developers Chen Chen, Zheng Yan, and colleagues modeled the device after the starfish’s five-limbed anatomy. Each "arm" contains sensors that simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical heart activity, producing a richer and more stable data stream — even during movement. “By distributing sensing points around the heart, we create a consistent and accurate signal,” says Chen. “This provides a more complete picture of cardiac health than traditional wearables.”
AI and real-time insights
This innovation not only captures data through sensors but also processes it with AI trained on large datasets from healthy and diseased hearts. This enables the system to filter out motion-related noise and detect irregularities with over 90% accuracy.
Real-time data is visualized via a connected smartphone app, allowing users and healthcare professionals to monitor heart health remotely. With Bluetooth connectivity, doctors can access readings at any time — ideal for home monitoring and early detection of cardiac issues.
Comfort and continuous monitoring
In addition to precision and intelligence, comfort is a key focus. Yan’s team is developing skin-friendly, breathable materials to enable long-term wear without irritation. While the current prototype still uses an adhesive gel, alternative materials are being explored to improve comfort and usability.
Unlike existing monitors, which require removal for charging, the starfish wearable will feature wireless charging while worn. This allows uninterrupted monitoring, making it ideal for continuous everyday use.
This biomimetic approach demonstrates how nature-inspired design can fuse with technology to advance healthcare. By integrating bioelectronics, AI, and smart materials into one system, this device offers a powerful tool for prevention and diagnosis beyond the clinic.
