Shimmer Sensing

Technology

Shimmer is designed for wearable and remote sensing applications. The Shimmer platform is flexible and adaptable making it easy to integrate into existing systems and technologies. The technology is designed to overcome the challenges of size , weight , and power constraints.

Shimmer3

The Shimmer3 is the smallest, slimmest and most robust wearable sensor created by Shimmer. The Shimmer3 offers best data quality with integrated 9dof (degrees of freedom) inertial sensing via accel, gyro, mag and altimeter, each with selectable range. The Shimmer3 can be applied a variety of applications surrounding human health monitoring , activities of daily living , connected health solutions and sports science.

Shimmer3 GSR+ unit

The GSR+ unit is used for measuring the electrical characteristics or conductance of the skin, as well as capturing a PPG signal and converting to estimate heart rate (HR), using the Shimmer ear clip. This application can be applied to a variety of applications such as market research , emotional engagement , psychological arousal and stress detection.

Shimmer3 ECG unit

The Shimmer3 ECG (Electrocardiogram) unit records the pathway of electrical impulses through the heart muscle, and can be recorded on resting and ambulatory subjects, or during exercise to provide information on the heart’s response to physical exertion. The Shimmer3 ECG unit can be applied to a variety of applications such as heart function monitoring , atrial fibrillation , premature ventricular contraction , abnormal rhythm detection and alert.

Shimmer3 EMG unit

The Shimmer3 EMG (Electromyogram) measures and records the electrical activity associated with muscle contractions, assesses nerve conduction, muscle response in injured tissue, activation level. The device can be used to analyze and measure the biomechanics of human or animal movement. The Shimmer EMG unit measures non-invasive (surface) EMG and therefore is a representation of the activity of the whole muscle. It is an efficient wireless solution for access to a host of muscle, gait, and posture data analysis. The Shimmer3 ECG unit can be applied to a variety of applications such as biomechanics , fatigue analysis , sports technique , performance and medicine , tremor analysis , neuro rehabilitation , veterinary science and orthopedics.

Consensys Software

The consensys software is Shimmer’s multi sensor management system which is designed for adaptive human data collection, synchronization of multiple Shimmer devices and management of the calibrated, raw and clinically validated data. The Software is used in conjunction with a Shimmer base or dock and simplifies the setup of data collection sessions from a single Shimmer by integrating firmware updates, sensor configuration and data capture in a single interface.

NeuroLynQ

NeuroLynQ is Shimmer's first complete solution which integrates both hardware and software and has been developed for both neuromarketing and consumer neuroscience applications. NeuroLynQ measures two different physiological reactions; heart rate and galvanic skin response using a single NeuroLynQ sensor. The application is used to gain an insight into the complex emotional response of an audience to marketing material, advertising and other sensory stimuli. NeuroLynQ can be used to measure the implicit and unconscious response of up to 36 people to a given stimulus.

Application

Shimmer provide wearable wireless sensing technology, solutions and consultancy services to the Research, Enterprise, and End User markets. Due to Shimmer’s flexibility , the Shimmer platform is generally application agnostic.

Research & Education

Enterprise

Wyss Institute

In June 2016 , Shimmer formed a partnership with Wyss Institute at Harvard University in support of ongoing research focused on remote patient monitoring using wearable sensing technology. The research is currently being led by Paolo Bonato, Ph.D., an Associate Faculty Member at the Wyss Institute and an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Emerge Diagnostics

In March 2014 , Shimmer formed a partnership with US-based Emerge Diagnostics worth $10 million over three years. Shimmer provided the platform that enabled Emerge Diagnostics to roll out a new medical device which enables the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries through electrodiagnostic functional assessment. The device contains 28 sensors and can be used to distinguish between an acute injury from an underlying chronic condition. It is used to help determine the age of an injury.

Kinesis

In December 2014 , Shimmer and Kinesis announced a deal worth €3 million which involved the incorporation of the Shimmer sensor platform into Kinesis QTUG™ technology which allows for earlier detection of mobility impairment and falls risk in older adults and aims to advance the field of falls prevention.

XPrize

In June 2013 , Shimmer joined forces with XPRIZE, partnering on their Nokia Sensing XCHALLENGE and Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE competitions.

Telefonica

In 2012 , Shimmer formed a partnership with Telefónica , the third largest telecommunications provider in the world. Telefónica launched a new 'Rehabitic' product which used Shimmer's wearable sensors for patients who had total knee replacements and required extensive physiotherapy. The product enable's the rehabilitation process to be conducted in the patient's home while clinicians can monitor their sessions remotely from the hospital.

Global Digital Health 100 Awards

Shimmer were recognised as one of the top 100 global digital health companies in the Global Digital Health 100 Awards as compiled by The Journal of mHealth.

The Irish Times InterTrade Ireland Innovation Award

In 2014 , Shimmer were recognized as the IT and Telecommunications Category award winner, out of a pool of 136 entrants.

Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership Award

In 2013 , Shimmer were awarded the Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership Award for its highly flexible body worn wireless sensing platform. Based on Frost & Sullivan’s analysis of the wireless sensors market, this award endorsed Shimmer as the leader in the wireless sensors sector.

History

Shimmer was founded in 2008 as a division of Realtime Electronics when Intel offered current CEO Paddy White the global licence for the sensor platform. Intel originally held the licence because the first wearable sensor was developed there by Ben Kuris in 2006. In 2009, Kuris joined Shimmer as chief technical officer and the company launched an R&D facility in Boston, Massachusetts. Up until 2013 they sold their products to research groups and universities. Since then they have also been selling the platform to sports, medical and marketing companies for use in the development of new products.