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RTI develops wearable data platform to support precision health monitoring for military personnel

AlphaWear helps U.S. military monitor heat stress, infection risk and mental health in real time using data from fitness-style devices


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, has developed a high-resolution wearable data capture platform designed to support localized precision health monitoring for military personnel. The platform, known as Architecture for Localized Precision Health data Acquisition from Wearables (AlphaWear), was recently detailed in the journal Military Medicine.

Developed for the U.S. Department of Defense, AlphaWear uses data from wearable devices, similar to fitness trackers, to give military leaders and health teams a clearer picture of how Service Members are doing physically and mentally. This technology enables continuous monitoring of physiological and behavioral data to assess three key health risks: heat strain during field exercises, infection risk in garrison-style environments and mental health indicators.

“AlphaWear represents a significant advancement in how we can use wearable technologies to support Service Members’ health and readiness,” said lead author Meghan Hegarty-Craver, Ph.D., a biomedical research engineer at RTI. “By capturing high-resolution data across multiple domains, we can identify emerging health risks like overheating, infection or mental strain before they become a problem and take action.”

The platform’s modular design allows it to be tailored to specific operational contexts, including training environments, deployment settings or routine base activities. It also supports integration with existing military health systems and data infrastructures, making it easier to share information and respond to health needs.

The AlphaWear system was developed in collaboration with multiple defense agencies and research partners. It is part of a broader effort to improve early detection of health threats in military populations.

Funding for the development of the AlphaWear platform was supported by: DARPA SIGMA+ (140D6319C0023), JPEO-CBRND (CWMD2118-030), and DTRA (2021-534).

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