HeartLink: Open broadcast of live biometric data to social networks

Franco Curmi, Maria Angela Ferrario, Jen Southern, Jon Whittle

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A number of studies in the literature have looked into the use of real-time biometric data to improve one's own physiological performance and wellbeing. However, there is limited research that looks into the effects that sharing biometric data with others could have on one's social network. Following a period of research on existing mobile applications and prototype testing, we developed a system, HeartLink, which collects real-time personal biometric data such as heart rate and broadcasts this data online. Insights gained on designing systems to broadcast real-time biometric data are presented. In this paper we also report emerging results from testing HeartLink in a pilot study and a user study that were conducted during sport events. The results showed that sharing heart rate data does influence the relationship of the persons involved and that the degree of influence seems related to the tie strength prior to visualizing the data.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHI 2013: Changing Perspectives, Conference Proceedings - The 31st Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Pages1749-1758
Number of pages10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2013 - Paris, France
Duration: 27 Apr 20132 May 2013
Conference number: 31st
https://chi2013.acm.org/program/

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2013
Abbreviated titleCHI 2013
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period27/04/132/05/13
OtherTheme: Changing Perspectives
Internet address

Keywords

  • Biometric data
  • Data broadcast
  • Digital economy
  • Mobile computing
  • Social networks

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