​d a v i d  b y c h k o v

This project began in 2003 and culminated with a launch heralded in the Wall Street Journal in mid-2006. This early Bluetooth biosensor device was frankly hideous and clumsy to use. It was an important first step in accurate infrared heart rate detection at the wrist, as well as galvanic skin response.

In 2006-2007, I tried to find ways to make the Exmocare BT1 more palatable to military and government executives who also would benefit from remote monitoring technology. The PCBA was the same but the onyx case and leather straps were custom made by an artisan in Germany.

In 2007-2010, I focused much of my energy trying to make a simple GSR-Pulse-Movement sensor that could continuously stream data via Bluetooth for at least 24 hours. The prototypes were beautiful but battery life was not.

In this 2008 variant of the BT2, we decided to put put all the sensors at the bottom of the wrist and the transmission, battery and display on the top. It seemed like a great way to improve accuracy, but just increased motion artifacts and blew up in our faces. Never made it to market.

From 2010-2012, we worked with a watchphone manufacturer in China to try to integrate more sensor and remote monitoring features than either they or our previous Bluetooth-only clientele were used to. The first gen Empath was successfully tested in Australia, S. Africa, the UK and US. We were just never able in those days to provide a seamless web or SIM card solution. Battery life was still an issue as was mass production quality.

Despite it's bigger screen and dimensions, the Empath 2.0 enabled me to offer a wide range of sensor types in a watchphone package. It was the first ever mass produced device I got to make.

This is the current biosensor watchphone that I am working on. It uses the same PCBA as Empath 2.1 but features a more attractive form factor and strap. It comes with an Android app and has some of the smartwatch features that Apple has made de rigeur.

After 10 years of making devices that are stuffed with features, I am now working with master watchmaker Ricky Tsang on luxury timepieces that each have one unusual feature. Our first concept was A.Vera, a scented leather product for aromatherapy purposes. Much more to come.