Apple is reportedly working on a new feature for iPhones that will detect mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety for users.
A new report states that Apple is partnering with the University of California, Los Angeles and pharmaceutical company Biogen to find an iPhone feature that will help diagnose depression and depression.
It has been reported that Apple will use the biometric data of users to tell them about their mental health status.
A Wall Street Journal report notes that in this feature Apple may use sensory data including the amount of sleep per day, mobility, physical activity and how the user is typing on his or her phone to determine if the user is suffering from depression or depression.
Other data that Apple will use includes face-to-face and heart rate analysis using the powerful face scanning hardware on the iPhone.
In fact, the report notes that the feature is already being tested.
The University of California, Los Angeles is studying the pressure, anxiety and frustration with Apple Watch and iPhone data for 3,000 users who have volunteered to follow the study. Another study with pharmaceutical company Biogen is also part of the trial.
Apple’s project in partnership with UCLA has been renamed “Seabreeze” while another project with Biogen has been renamed “Pi”.
The project was reportedly tested in 2020, with Apple recording the details of 150 users who volunteered for Apple’s special work.
The WSJ report notes that researchers will use data taken from iPhones and Watch sensors. Dedicated users will also be asked to complete a set of questions about how they feel. Apple will also detect mental retardation in patients.
Similar research is ongoing with Biogen. Mental retardation can develop into Alzheimer’s over time. Apple wants to use the feature to notify users who show signs of mental retardation.
Early detection can help users diagnose serious illnesses such as Alzheimer’s. Cupertino-giant and Biogen plan to track down the 20,000 people who have signed up for the project.
“The promise of diagnostic tools for people with serious emotional or emotional problems is that you can intervene early and prevent serious consequences,” Faraz Hussain, a senior engineer at BiAffect, told WSJ.
A project like this, which uses biometric and health data, will definitely raise personal concerns. However, Apple has made arrangements to deal with it.
The company is reportedly working on an algorithm that works on the iPhone in offline mode and does not send data to Apple servers.
