Science Year 2026: FZI presents "Medicine of the Future" at opening
Research Focus: Applied Artificial Intelligence
At the launch of Science Year 2026 at Futurium Berlin, the FZI Research Center for Information Technology presented its in-house development PulsCam as a demonstrator. In the presence of Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär, Executive Director Jan Wiesenberger, and scientists from the ESS division presented this practical example of applied IT research to representatives from politics, administration, and science.
The theme of Science Year 2026 is “Medicine of the Future.” The focus is on research for the medicine of tomorrow – preventive, personalized, digital, participatory, and inclusive. A special emphasis is placed on gender-sensitive research to help reduce gaps in care and inequalities.
PulsCam: Non-contact vital sign measurement is robust, low-threshold, and practical
With PulsCam, the FZI demonstrates how camera-based systems can provide practical support for everyday medical care. A standard camera captures vital signs from subtle color changes in the face. The approach combines modern signal processing with AI-supported image analysis. It is designed to deliver reliable results even under varying conditions, such as changing lighting, different skin types, or movement. During the demonstration, pulse and heart rate were recorded. In addition, the software, which is currently still in demo mode, can visualize a person’s emotional state.
From basic concept to application: transfer that works in practice
With the PulsCam demonstrator, the FZI sent a signal for the successful transfer of research into practice at the start of the Science Year 2026. PulsCam originates from the field of camera-based condition and context measurement and has been consistently further developed at the FZI to enable its use in new domains.
A particularly tangible application of the technology in the field of digital healthcare is triage support in the emergency room, directly upon the arrival of patients; in other words, where saving time can be life-saving. In the future, such low-threshold technical procedures can help to identify critical situations earlier and relieve processes in highly frequented settings.
Trust and diversity: Responsibility as an essential part of the “Medicine of the Future”
The Science Year 2026 explicitly aims to strengthen dialogue about the opportunities and limitations of digital health technologies, as well as building trust. For the FZI, this means combining technical excellence with responsible implementation. PulsCam, for example, is working on data-efficient approaches that can be used in (semi-)public spaces. For instance, automated pixelation solutions only release the relevant observation area. PulsCam also aligns with the Science Year’s focus on gender-sensitive medicine, as symptoms, progression, and treatment success can vary by gender. Robust measurement methods in different environments help reduce unintended distortions in diagnostics and care. PulsCam was displayed as a research exhibit on the ground floor of Futurium, forming part of the accompanying exhibition for the evening public launch of Science Year 2026.
Contact
Christoph Zimmermann
Head of Embedded Systems and Sensors Engineering
+49 721 9654-764
czimmer@fzi.de
Headquarters Karlsruhe