Pulse
Pulse is a consumer wearable that reads continuous heart rhythm data and delivers real-time haptic feedback, enabling users to regulate physical activity intensity without screens or retroactive interpretation.
The R&D of Pulse integrated physiological research, wearable hardware, real-time signal processing, and embodied interaction design, supported by extensive scientific, technical, market, and design research and iterative development across hardware, software, form, and strategy.
foundational research precursor – 2017-2023
In collaboration with hardware & software engineers, a materials researcher, and medical, technical, & startup advisors
Overview
01
Origin
I trained at an elite level in ballet before being diagnosed with a genetic heart condition associated with elevated risk of sudden cardiac arrest in high-performing athletes. I was instructed to keep my heart rate below 140 bpm, without a reliable way to perceive when I was approaching that limit during physical activity.
Existing consumer wearables could measure heart rate, but relied on obtrusive, screen-based form factors and post-activity review, offering no support for preventative, real-time decision-making while moving. The lack of visibility into the relationship between cardiac activity and physical activity left me with no safe way to continue training—an abrupt and devastating shift for a 15 year old driven by intensity, excellence, and movement.
Problem
Active individuals—especially those with known or unknown heart conditions—often lack meaningful visibility into how physical activity impacts their cardiac function in real time.
This lack of visibility creates uncertainty, risk, and unnecessary restriction, making it difficult to sustain active, confident, and healthy lifestyles. When cardiac information is delayed, abstracted, or screen-dependent, it fails to support preventative action in the moment it matters.
Solution
Pulse is a sleek consumer wearable that provides real-time preventative cardiac feedback during physical activity.
The system collects continuous ECG data and delivers immediate haptic feedback as predefined thresholds are approached, enabling users to regulate intensity as activity unfolds—without screens or post-activity analysis.
While continuous ECG monitoring has existed in medical contexts, it has remained impractical for daily use due to bulky form factors and the absence of real-time, user-facing feedback. Pulse addresses this gap by integrating continuous sensing and on-device haptics into a seamless wearable patch, making cardiac feedback usable during everyday movement.
By prioritizing immediate, perceptible feedback over passive monitoring, Pulse enables users to be active with confidence, safety, and autonomy.
Research
02
Pulse was a multi-year research effort spanning cardiac physiology, sensing technology, and wearable design.
Prior to beginning my year-long thesis on Pulse, I authored a paper synthesizing the medical, technical, and design foundations of Pulse—on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, malignant arrhythmias, ECG signal interpretation, arrhythmia prediction methods, and the limitations of existing wearable ECG technologies.
This initial research informed the direction of my thesis, which extended this foundation through sustained physiologic, technical, and market research and iterative hardware, software, and design prototyping.
Form Development
03
Pulse was designed to seamlessly integrate continuous ECG sensing and real-time haptic feedback in everyday active life.
Design criteria
Comfort — suitable for prolonged, everyday wear
Intuitive placement — easy to orient correctly on the body
Unobtrusive — does not restrict movement or draw attention
Inconspicuous — avoids clinical or medical aesthetics
Design process
Form development progressed through research, iterative prototyping, and live testing. I explored:
Body placement and orientation
Scale, thickness, and curvature
Material compliance and adhesion
Each iteration tested how form affected ECG signal stability, comfort during movement, and the clarity of haptic feedback. Small changes in placement or material often produced large differences in performance and wearability.
Through repeated cycles of research, making, and testing, the form evolved to balance physiological constraints with an organic, wearable patch suitable for everyday use.
pulse
Activity: Casual jog
Heart Rate Range: 100-120 Beats/Minute
Heart Rhythm: Regular
Activity: Rest
Heart Rate Range: 65-85 Beats/Minute
Heart Rhythm: Regular
Activity: Running uphill
Heart Rate Range: 120-140 Beats/Minute
Heart Rhythm: Increasing risk of irregularity
Wearable alerts user to slow down
ELECTRODE FOR READING HEART RHYTHM
(METAL)
REPLACEABLE ADHESIVE
(FLEXIBLE MEDICAL-GRADE ADHESIVE)
BUTTON TO MAKE REAL-TIME NOTE
IN CONTINUOUS ECG READING
(PLASTIC)
REUSABLE CASING OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
(FLEXIBLE SILICONE-LIKE MATERIAL)
CHARGER
LEDs TO INDICATE LEVEL OF CHARGE
PATCH CURRENTLY CHARGING
USB-C PORT
DIVOT FOR PATCH
WHEN CHARGING
COMPARTMENT TO STORE ADHESIVES
STACKED ADHESIVES
Hardware Development
04
Hardware development focused on enabling reliable, continuous ECG sensing and real-time haptic feedback within a compact, wearable form.
Key hardware considerations included:
ECG signal quality — achieving stable readings during movement despite motion artifacts, skin impedance, and noise
Electrode placement — identifying chest locations and orientations that balance signal strength with minimal footprint
Component integration — combining sensing, processing, power, and actuation within a body-worn system
Power constraints — supporting continuous monitoring within size and battery limitations
I researched ECG sensing methods and electrode configurations, and built initial hardware prototypes (below), followed by iterations in collaboration with hardware engineers. This process balanced medical-grade sensing requirements with consumer wearable constraints, ensuring the hardware supported both physiological accuracy and everyday usability.
Proof of concept 1: core function
Functions:
Sense ECG through electrodes and process through heart rate module
When BPM exceeds inputted threshold, motor vibrates
When button is pressed, Serial Monitor prints current heart rate and “Note Current Heart Rate”
Respective Applications:
Continuous heart rhythm data (not just heart rate) is collected.
The user inputs their safe maximum heart rate. When they exceed that heart rate, they are provided gentle haptic feedback to become aware of their current heart rate and adjust their activity accordingly.
The user presses a button on the device to make note of their current heart rate based on felt sensation – to listen to their body now and review the data later.
Proof of concept 2: electronics housing
6:1 scale 3D printed prototype to demonstrate housing for electronics in wearable patch form factor:
Wearable patch worn on the chest to enable continuous heart rhythm collection (ECG), beyond heart rate (BPM)
Triangular shape to maximize distance between electrodes while minimizing surface area
Software Development
05
Software development focused on building a predictive foundation for real-time, preventative cardiac feedback.
I collaborated with a team of software engineers to develop an initial machine learning algorithm that predicts short-term heart rate progression (≈10 seconds), serving as a first step toward irregular heart rhythm prediction. Rather than relying solely on reactive thresholds, this approach explored anticipatory feedback based on near-future cardiac trajectories.
In parallel, I conducted in-depth research on ECG interpretation and cardiac risk markers, studying waveform features, rhythm progression, and predictive metrics associated with sudden cardiac arrest. We worked backwards from malignant outcomes (e.g., ventricular fibrillation) to identify earlier detectable patterns—such as changes in rate, interval timing, and waveform morphology—that could inform prediction.
The software work included:
Converting raw ECG signals into structured time-series data
Segmenting data into temporal windows for forecasting and classification
Reviewing and testing time-series, statistical, and deep learning models
Defining interpretable markers to bridge algorithmic output and real-time feedback
This work established a computational framework that aligned predictive modeling with the practical constraints of wearable systems, laying the groundwork for future arrhythmia prediction and real-time, on-device intervention.
Strategy Development
06
Strategy development for Pulse was a sustained, research-driven process of defining what the product should be, for whom, and why.
From 2017 to 2023, I iteratively refined Pulse’s product strategy through continuous user research, competitive analysis, and real-world testing of assumptions. This included interviewing and surveying over 200 people, studying personal accounts from individuals living with cardiac conditions, and maintaining a detailed competitive landscape across consumer wearables and medical-grade devices.
In parallel, I repeatedly stress-tested and refined the strategy through pitch competitions, advisor conversations, and stakeholder feedback—using each iteration to clarify the value proposition, scope, risks, and positioning of the product. These cycles surfaced key strategic questions around market definition, responsibility, and adoption, particularly in balancing high-need cardiac users with broader health-conscious and athletic audiences.
Strategy evolved alongside research and development. As technical feasibility, form factor decisions, and software direction changed, I continuously updated the product framing and go-to-market approach—treating strategy itself as an iterative design problem grounded in evidence rather than a fixed business plan.
Brand Development
07
Brand development for Pulse was a rigorous design challenge: to convey the legitimacy of a life-saving, deeply technical health technology while meeting the visual and experiential standards of health, fitness, and athletic products.
Rather than relying on clinical aesthetics, the brand needed to feel sleek, modern, and empowering—without diminishing technical seriousness. I conducted a deep study of the visual languages of health, technology, fitness, and human embodiment, analyzing how each communicates trust, performance, and care.
I synthesized these languages into a cohesive brand system that balances clinical credibility with emotional resonance and physicality, positioning Pulse as both technically legitimate and naturally integrated into everyday movement and activity.
Collaboration & Advisement
08
I led Pulse from 2017 to 2023, evolving it through multiple phases of collaboration, mentorship, and independent development.
I co-founded the project at age sixteen with a global team during an MIT entrepreneurship summer program, then re-established and led the work independently when I began college at the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy. Over the years, I collaborated with software and hardware engineers, materials researchers, and designers, assembling teams as needed to advance specific phases of research and development.
The project was shaped through sustained advisement and feedback from medical, technical, business, and design experts. I am deeply grateful to the individuals and organizations who generously shared their time, insight, and guidance, including contributors from the American Heart Association and the AHA Center for Health Technology & Innovation, IDEO Health, VivaLNK, Edwards Lifesciences, USC AMI Institute of Biomedical Engineering, USC Keck School of Medicine, USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy, MIT Media Lab, Carnegie Mellon University Biomedical Engineering, Duke Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins ARVD/C Center, University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Stanford Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, and the Stanford d.school.
This network of collaboration grounded Pulse in real-world medical, technical, and ethical constraints while strengthening its rigor as a long-term research-through-making project.
Recognition
09
USC New Venture Seed Competition | 4th Place of 280 Undergrad, Grad & Alumni Teams – 2023
Selected to Present for USC's VIP Guests incl. US Secretary of Education, NY Chancellor of Schools, and Dr. Dre | 2023
USC Discovery Scholar Distinction – 2023
USC Iovine & Young Academy Prize | 1st Place – 2022
The Talon Feature Article – 2019
i.Invest National Youth Business Competition | 1st Place – 2018
Diamond Challenge Entrepreneurship Competition | States 1st Place, Global Finalist – 2018
Innovation Showcase TV – 2017
MIT Launch Grant Recipient – 2017
