Teens’ app monitors pulse, summons help
Their app monitors a person’s pulse rate and, if it hits a critical level, alerts that person’s guardians by text and contacts the nearest hospital.
Such a lifesaving app sounds like something doctors or medical researchers came up with, but it was a group of senior high school students of the Philippine Science High School who did so.
A group of aspiring inventors created a pulse rate monitoring device with a built-in android application, which alerts registered guardians through text messages and contacts the nearest hospital when the user’s pulse rate reaches its critical limit.
While the innovation may already be wonderful on its own, did you know that the brains behind it have yet to build their names in the medical field, let alone finish senior high school?
Sixteen-year-olds John Ronnel Hora, Gwyneth Caryl Seciban and Krisha Bernadette Suico are among the youngsters who joined this year’s annual Robotics STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Cup.
On its third year, Compass Education has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology, and Accenture Philippines in showcasing engineer robots made by students aged six to 25 years old that solve real life challenges.
Around 50 teams invented programs and models that reduce traffic congestion, provide convenience to daily activities, and create viable solutions to a pressing problem such as pollution and flooding.
Hora, Seciban and Suico spent the past two months developing PULSO, or the pulse rate life saving operating device, which is arduino-based. The three are students of the Philippine Science High School Central Visayas.
Through the device, the change in blood volume caused by the pumping of the heart is captured by a pulse sensor.
The arduino will then process the analog value of the sensor to calculate the instantaneous pulse rate, which will be obtained in the android application through bluetooth connection.
Suico, whose grandmother died at 56 due to cardiovascular complication, said the project has a special place in her heart.
“I want to do something for the greater good because I was not able to save my grandma. We wanted to make medical help available for everyone,” she said.
With cardiovascular diseases being one of the top leading causes of death, PULSO aims to help the elderly by providing a warning and risk communication system that would serve as an active disaster risk reduction manager.
“It is portable, accessible, user-friendly and ready for everyday use, especially for those diagnosed with heart complication and ailments,” Seciban said.
Hora advised youngsters who spend a great time online to spare a few minutes on research to raise awareness on health con- cerns that are often overlooked.
Like Suico, 19-year-old Fritz Laurence Villacorta’s invention is close to home.
The third year computer science student teamed up with Chiang Shan Chang, a 25-yearold fourth year information technology student, for the Project Moses. Both are studying at the Cebu Institute of Technology-University.
Project Moses is a web-based robotic monitoring and warning system for rivers located in urbanized areas that easily overflows during downpour.
“I took inspiration from my own experience. I’ve been crossing two rivers that swell even during moderate rains,” said Villacorta, a resident of Barangay Inayawan in Cebu City.
Project Moses uses ultrasonic sensor, which then emits a blaring noise and lights up to warn nearby residents when water levels increase to a critical point.
The public will also be able to access the program’s website for real-time updates.