Researchers at the University of Salzburg and Harvard University investigated the accuracy of the measurements taken by wearable sensors, such as the Empatica E4, against well-calibrated laboratory equipment.
Wearable sensors are increasingly used in research, as well as for personal and private purposes. A variety of scientific studies are based on physiological measurements from such rather low-cost wearables. However, only a few research studies perform a stringent evaluation and comparison of wearable sensors, including their shortcomings, before carrying out a scientific study. Thus, it is oftentimes not clear how accurate measurements from wearables are compared to measurements from well-calibrated, high-quality laboratory equipment, apart from a formal comparison of technical specifications. In consequence, the quality and comparability of measurements from different devices is oftentimes not clear.
