Philippe Renevey Wins CSEM Inventor Award 2025 

More than two decades after CSEM pioneered wrist-based pulse monitoring, engineer Philippe Renevey is being honored with the CSEM Inventor Award 2025 for his revolutionary PulseSpeed patent. This breakthrough innovation enables high-precision heart rate measurement, opening new possibilities for wearable health technology.

The Science Behind PulseSpeed

Whether jogging, climbing stairs, or simply walking, smartwatches and fitness trackers provide valuable insights into physical activity, such as pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and even movement patterns. However, ensuring that these readings remain accurate and reliable—across various conditions and body types—requires advanced signal processing algorithms.

This is where Philippe Renevey has made a lasting impact. As a Senior Expert in CSEM’s Signal Processing & AI group, Renevey specializes in biomedical signal analysis from optical and inertial sensors. His PulseSpeed patent, first filed in 2014, goes beyond simple pulse tracking. It can:
✅ Determine heart rate with high accuracy
✅ Detect different types of activities
✅ Calculate speed and distance—without GPS

This game-changing innovation allows wearable devices to deliver medical-grade measurements, making them useful for athletes, healthcare providers, and researchers alike.

From Innovation to Industry Adoption

Philippe Renevey’s work exemplifies CSEM’s mission to bridge the gap between research and industry. His PulseSpeed technology has already been integrated into four commercial products, including:

• • Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport smartwatch
  • Festina hybrid smartwatches
  • The Inspiring® smart ring from Norway
  • ActiGraph clinical trial devices

“These products highlight how research-driven innovation can lead to tangible commercial success,” says Jens Krauss, Business Unit Manager of CSEM MedTech. “CSEM is committed to developing breakthrough technologies that empower industry partners and create real economic impact.”

 A Legacy of Pioneering Wearable Health Tech

Philippe Renevey has been at the forefront of wearable health monitoring for over 25 years. In fact, CSEM was the first to develop a wrist-worn heart rate monitoring prototype—an incredible 14 years before the Apple Watch.

“Philippe has been shaping the future of mobile health monitoring since the early 2000s,” says Krauss. “His latest achievement with PulseSpeed builds upon CSEM’s legacy, ensuring that Swiss innovation continues to lead in the global medtech industry.”
Another key contributor to PulseSpeed is Olivier Grossenbacher, a former CSEM engineer and co-inventor of the patent. He now serves as Head of Engineering at CSEM spin-off Aktiia, which specializes in continuous blood pressure monitoring—another technology born from CSEM’s pioneering research.

Shaping the Future of Wearable Health Tech

As wearables evolve beyond fitness tracking into medical-grade health monitoring, innovations like PulseSpeed are paving the way for smarter, more accurate devices. From real-time heart rate tracking to advanced biometric data analysis, CSEM’s work continues to shape the industry
With 35 years of expertise in medical technology, CSEM remains at the cutting edge of innovation—developing the next generation of smart health solutions that will transform how we monitor and manage our well-being.
ongratulations to Philippe Renevey for this well-deserved recognition!

➡️ Source: CSEM |  📸 CSEM