Heartbuddy
A mobile app leveraging Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things to improve cardiovascular health.
Background
The App was conceptualized as a result of a brainstorm for a group project at HKU in 2019 when we wondered if any insights related to cardiovascular health or risks of cardiovascular diseases could be detected by measuring one's heartbeat with IoT devices and have it analyzed with AI.
Overview
Time
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October - November 2019
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Junior year University course "Creativity and Business Innovation"
Role
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UI Designer
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Designing and testing prototype
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Collaborating with groupmates on App features
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Tools
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Adobe XD
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Tableau Desktop
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Screen-recording tool
How might we have a healthy(ier) heart?
According to the WHO, CVDs are the world’s biggest killer, representing 31% of all deaths worldwide in 2016.With an aging population, it could be estimated that the prevalence of CVD would only remain high in the future.
Recovery from CVD is challenging. Most people need long-term support to regain as much independence as possible. The rehabilitation process could also be frustrating and lonely, causing psychological issues like depression and anxiety to patients if not provided with sufficient support.
On the other hand, CVD patients’ recovery casts psychological, time and financial burden on their caregivers, usually family members. Everything adds up to a stressful experience.
Opportunities
The global digital health market is booming.
It was estimated that the year-over-year growth rate of the global digital health market is 19.12% for 2019. In 2016, 33% of the global population uses a mobile app or fitness tracking device to track their health. A rising global digital health market indicates that people are more and more willing to use health-related digital applications.
Moreover, almost half of those over 45 years old stated that they could imagine using an app to track their fitness in a 2017 survey, showing a great interest of the older age group in using technology to improve their health.
In a research interview with the British Heart Foundation, it has been indicated that there had been a lack of apps that provide very accurate measuring of blood pressure and medical information; but the opportunity was that there has been many existing heart communities with people talking to one another over the heart problems. These communities could be platforms that promote heart disease-related apps and apps that connect these people would have a competitive edge.
Primary Persona
Dave represents the primary group of users that we sought: middle-aged, occasionally smokes and drinks, has a history of CVD and struggling to recover physically and mentally. He is also tech-savvy and values connectivity.
AI heartbeat and
blood pressure monitor
Sensors use electrocardiogram (ECG) signals to determine heart rate variability and take blood measurement readings.
Heart rate monitoring journal: Data is streamed to cloud storage. AI algorithms identify irregular rhythms and deliver data to the user via the app.
When an erratic heartbeat is detected, emergency auto-dial allows speedy arrangement for onsite medical attention.
Cardio workout tracker
Encourage users, especially patients who have recovered from heart disease, to do cardio exercises.
Reads out readings of heart rate and blood pressure throughout exercise sessions.
Give suggestions as to the walking/ running speed and when to take a break.
Read encouraging motivational quotes and plays uplifting music.
Sleep tracker
Tracks the duration, pattern and quality of sleep by monitoring heartbeat rate, breath and body movement of the user, especially those who require more quality rest in the post-surgery period.
Identifies unique patterns related to the user’s sleep by AI algorithms
Connects to smart home appliances to make adjustments accordingly, e.g. adjusting room temperature and lighting.
Heart-healthy food tracker
Connects to smart fridges to monitor the type and quantity of food being stored
Identifies food that is healthy to the heart, encourage their restocking (by connecting to shopping lists or calendar apps) and suggest healthy recipes
Identifies food that is unhealthy to the heart and discourage their consumption
Heartbuddies: Support group
A social media platform to connect heart disease patients who are recovering so that they can gather and form support groups to share experiences and to work out together
Notes
It was one of the most extensive prototypes I have done with 60 artboards. The aim was to design an app that has a straightforward yet still stimulating UI&UX. Animations were used where applicable, and select colours were used to associate them with the features in which they are used: Red & white represent the heart, deep blue represents sports and night sky, and green represents health.
Thanks to my groupmates Airin, Michelle, Vivian and Ellie for being supportive groupmates and providing feedback on my prototype!