Development and Optimization of Wearable Sensors for Vital Signs Monitoring Using the Internet of Things

Abstract

As the global elderly population grows, there is an increasing need for reliable and easy to use health monitoring tools that support independent living and reduce strain on healthcare system. This study presents the development of a wearable, Internet of Things (IoT) enabled device designed to monitor vital signs and environmental conditions in real time. The system integrated two low-cost sensors: the MAX30100 for tracking blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate, and the BME680 for measuring temperature, humidity, gas resistance (for VOCs), and air pressure. These sensors were connected to ESP8266 microcontroller that transmitted data through Wi-Fi to a mobile dashboard using the Blynk platform. To improve accuracy, especially during motion, signal processing techniques such as a moving average filter were implemented. The device was tested against commercial health monitoring tools and demonstrated strong performance, with an average error of ±2% for SpO₂ and ±5 BPM for heart rate. It also included threshold-based alerts to notify users or caregivers when readings exceed safe limits. This study contributes to the advancement of affordable, remote health monitoring systems by offering a practical solution that combines physiological and environmental sensing in a compact, user-friendly design. Its potential applications include elderly home care, telehealth services, and mobile health clinics.