Smart Sensors for Health Research and Improvement

Sensors represent the prerequisites for data collection in the field of digital phenotyping and mobile sensing. Today, many sensors are connected over the Internet or feature advanced processing, thus provide smart functions that go beyond simple measurements. Embedded in everyday devices such as smartphones and wearables, smart sensors enable the collection of a vast amount of data in a natural setting and the unobtrusive real-time monitoring of people’s lives. Initial empirical studies illustrate the possibilities and high potential of using ubiquitous smart sensors in health research. However, to realize the full potential, a deeper understanding of the underlying concept of smart sensors in health research is important. The present chapter aims to give a theoretical, non-technical introduction to the basic concepts of smart sensors in mobile health sensing. Hence, this chapter provides a brief overview of currently available sensors and proposes an overarching taxonomy. For the sake of simplicity, the focus of this chapter will be on smart mobile sensors, in particular those currently embedded in smartphones. Following this, we will briefly discuss what can be sensed and how health can be predicted from this sensor data. Additionally, we provide examples of research projects based on smartphone sensors, followed by an outlook on current challenges, future research perspectives, and potential clinical applications.