Seeed Studio XIAO Reference Designs in Healthcare
The Seeed Studio XIAO Series is enabling a new wave of health and wellness innovation—from wearable ECG monitors and spirometers to AI microscopes and rehabilitation tools. In this blog, we showcase community-driven healthcare prototypes and ready-to-use XIAO-powered products designed to measure vitals, assist mobility, and support early diagnostics. Whether you’re building for preventative care, fitness tracking, or digital therapy, these projects highlight how XIAO makes healthcare prototyping smarter, smaller, and more accessible.
Building smarter, smaller, and more responsive healthcare solutions requires a platform that’s compact, low-power, and wireless-ready—and the Seeed Studio XIAO Series delivers just that. With support for BLE, TinyML, and a range of sensors, XIAO enables rapid prototyping of wearable devices, assistive tools, and real-time health monitors that address everything from sun exposure and respiratory health to cardiovascular tracking and mobility support.
While these projects are prototypes from the maker community and not medically certified, they highlight the incredible potential of the XIAO Series in digital health and wellness applications. In this blog, we’ve gathered a diverse set of open-source projects and Seeed Studio-developed products that showcase how the XIAO platform empowers developers to explore real-world solutions for patient care, health tracking, and preventive diagnostics.
Creator: Marge Health Team
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This prototype ring continuously tracks heart rate and blood oxygen levels for sickle cell patients using the MAX30105 sensor and XIAO ESP32C3. It streams real-time data via WebSocket to a web dashboard, with options for PDF reporting. The GitHub repository includes firmware, server code, and setup guides, with planned features like offline mode and mobile app. You can find the complete project details on GitHub.
Creator: Arun Varghese
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
This project builds an internet-connected patient monitoring system that transmits real-time vital signs using advanced sensors, machine learning, and cellular IoT. It features an STM32 microcontroller connected to SpO₂, ECG, and temperature sensors, with a finger probe powered by XIAO nRF52840 Sense running a TinyML model for motion anomaly detection. The system uses RTOS for reliable operation and a Blues Notecard for secure cloud-based data transmission to KaaIoT and visualization via Notehub. Alerts are triggered by abnormal vitals or patient gestures, enabling remote decisions and nurse assistance. You can find the complete project details here.
Creator: Tech Tronics
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
MotionSpike is a dual-player wearable system that combines movement-based gameplay with biometric tracking. Each band collects motion, heart rate, and SpO₂ data using MPU6050 and MAX30102 sensors, then sends it via UDP Wi-Fi to an ESP32 hub for dashboard display and game interaction. Built with custom 3D enclosures and Python gesture detection, the system supports real-time activity feedback for therapy, fitness, and education. You can find the complete project details on Instructables.
Creator: Jaagrav Seal
Powered by: XIAO MG24 Sense
Spira is a compact, smart spirometer designed to help users consistently exercise their lungs. It uses a differential pressure sensor (MPX10DP) with the XIAO MG24 Sense, housed in a custom 3D-printed casing for portability. The device includes a low-pass filter to reduce ADC noise and a custom power circuit enabling battery charging even when turned off. A companion SwiftUI iOS app (in development) will offer BLE connectivity, reminders, and gamified breathing exercises for lung stamina. You can find the complete project details here.
Creator: Markus Opitz
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
This wearable exoskeleton assists elderly users with limited shoulder mobility. Controlled via a BLE-enabled wrist unit using the XIAO nRF Sense, it interprets hand movements to lift the arm using a 40kg servo. The mechanical structure is fully 3D-printed, with a ball bearing-supported servo arm and adjustable neck brace. The main control unit—built around an ESP32 microcontroller and dual buck converters—manages power delivery from an 18V battery pack. Assembly involves connecting the servo, hinge, shoulder rest, and battery case, enabling autonomous wearing and movement support. You can find the complete project details on Instructables.
Creator: Jaime Andres Rincon Arango
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21
This proof-of-concept project combines a robotic arm with biosignal monitoring tools for remote medical check-ups. Using pre-programmed movements, the myPalletizer arm captures PPG and phonocardiography signals with a heart rate sensor and a modified digital stethoscope, both powered by XIAO. Data is visualized on the reTerminal and stored in AWS DynamoDB for remote access and analysis. A teleoperation simulator using PyBullet demonstrates future remote control capabilities. The setup lays groundwork for autonomous eHealth applications, with plans for ECG and blood pressure integration. You can find the complete project details here.
Creator: Vinay y.n
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This project builds a compact digital weighing scale with a real-time battery level display, ideal for portable use. It uses the HX711 load cell amplifier for weight measurement and the BQ27441 fuel gauge to monitor battery health and voltage, all displayed on a 0.91″ OLED screen. The custom PCB design supports easy load cell swapping for different weight ranges and integrates charging, switching, and status indicators. Built around the XIAO ESP32C3’s internal charging system, it avoids external circuitry while offering future-ready BLE/Wi-Fi options. Step-by-step instructions cover PCB design, calibration, and Arduino code setup. You can find the full guide here.
Creator: Seeed Studio
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21 and Grove Finger-clip Heart Rate Sensor
This beginner-friendly project uses the Seeeduino XIAO and its expansion board to measure heart rate via a Grove finger-clip sensor. With an I2C interface to minimize wiring, it displays data on an OLED screen using the U8g2 library and Arduino IDE. The guide includes hardware setup, library installation, and working code to show BPM values in real time. You can find the complete project details on Hackster.io.
Creator: Jaime Andres Rincon Arango
Powered by: Grove Vision AI Module V2 and XIAO SAMD21
This compact companion robot uses Edge AI and human pose detection to assist elderly users with physical rehab and health monitoring. Built around the Grove Vision AI V2 and XIAO SAMD21, it controls 12 servo motors for movement, displays animated expressions on an OLED, and classifies hand gestures and exercises using a trained ML model. Data is processed locally or sent via ESP32 to a cloud server for further analysis. The system also supports gesture detection, food/object recognition, and model updates via a Flask-based web server and Intel Neural Compute Sticks. Click here for more project details.
Creator: Ricardo Magno
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840 Sense
This project creates a TinyML-powered personal trainer that identifies gym exercises—like biceps curls, bench presses, and lateral raises—using data from a dumbbell-mounted XIAO BLE Sense with built-in IMU. Motion data is transmitted via BLE to an Android app and processed with a Dense Neural Network trained through Edge Impulse, achieving ~85% accuracy. The system is housed in a 3D-printed case with battery support and visualizes exercise performance in real time through a smartphone interface. FInd the full build here.
Creator: R Linte
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21
This DIY wearable blends futuristic aesthetics with air quality monitoring. Built into a modified 3M mask, it uses XIAO to control RGB lighting, servo-actuated vents, and a fan—adjusting its behavior based on pollution levels. The Grove sensor detects air conditions, while a relay and servo system open/close vents and trigger airflow enhancement. Housed in a laser-cut enclosure, the system runs on custom Arduino code and features dynamic color alerts. Find the full project details here.
Created by: Jaagrav Seal, Protyasish Majumder, Arpan Das and Tanish Sen
Powered by: XIAO ESP32C3
This wearable ECG monitor uses the XIAO ESP32C3 and Heart BioAmp Candy sensor to record cardiac data at regular intervals, designed for daily, unobtrusive use. Developed during a hackathon, it includes a 3D-printed enclosure, a LiPo battery, and BLE-based connectivity to a SwiftUI mobile app for real-time ECG streaming and session reporting. The project addresses signal noise challenges from muscle artifacts and environment interference, while offering filtering via Upside Down Labs firmware. Full details include circuit diagrams, firmware, STL files, and app development insights, making it an effective DIY prototype for heart health monitoring. You can find the complete project details here.
Creator: Techiesms
Powered by: XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
Designed by OpenUC2 and Seeed Studio, this AI microscope uses the XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense to bring real-time image recognition to a compact, low-cost microscopy setup. Capable of analyzing blood cells, microplastics, and biological samples, it’s an open-source platform that merges embedded AI and scientific imaging. Its modular build encourages customization, making it ideal for classrooms, makerspaces, and research labs. This project proves how IoT and vision-based inference can democratize access to advanced diagnostics. See the full video walkthrough here.
Creator: Kutluhan Aktar
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
Overexposure to sunlight can lead to serious health risks, from dehydration to skin cancer. This AI-enabled smartwatch measures UV Index, temperature, pressure, and altitude to predict sun damage risk—especially helpful for sensitive groups like children and the elderly. Built around our XIAO nRF52840 for BLE communication and AI inference, it uses an OLED display and microSD card for data visualization and logging. The goal? To warn users of harmful UV exposure before symptoms occur. Find the full build details here.
Creator: Tobychui
Powered by: XIAO RP2040
FoG is a common symptom among Parkinson’s patients, disrupting the natural ability to walk. This lightweight wearable provides external rhythmic stimuli—like vibrations or light cues—to help the wearer “reset” their walking pattern and reduce the severity of FoG. The XIAO RP2040 drives the logic, offering low power and compact size ideal for continuous use. This project demonstrates how low-cost hardware can improve mobility and independence. Explore the full project here.
Creator: Tiago Santos
Powered by: XIAO nRF52840
This project uses the XIAO nRF52840 and a pulse sensor to create a wearable, wireless heart rate monitor. Ideal for fitness tracking or sleep monitoring, it collects heartbeat data and transmits it over Bluetooth to a nearby receiver with an OLED screen. Its small size and BLE connectivity make it suitable for real-time heart health applications in compact wearable devices. Check out the complete project guide here.
Creator: John Bradnam
Powered by: XIAO SAMD21
Using a pulse oximeter sensor, OLED display, and the XIAO SAMD21, this non-invasive device measures both SpO₂ and heart rate to monitor overall health. It’s ideal for respiratory tracking, exercise recovery, or early illness detection. A mobile app syncs with the device for remote viewing and data logging. This compact tool is a great example of accessible, real-time health monitoring. See the full project tutorial here.
Products for Healthcare Powered by Seeed Studio XIAO
If you’re looking for XIAO based products or gadgets for your healthcare projects, here are some recommended XIAO gadgets for your reference:
The MR60BHA2 mmWave Sensor Kit offers precise contactless detection of breathing, heartbeat, and human presence using 60GHz mmWave technology. Powered by the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C6 with pre-flashed ESPHome firmware, it’s ready for plug-and-play integration with Home Assistant. Check it out here.
The MR60FDA2 mmWave Fall Detection Sensor Kit features high-precision 60GHz mmWave technology for reliable fall and static human presence detection. It’s powered by the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C6, pre-flashed with ESPHome firmware for effortless integration with Home Assistant, making it ideal for healthcare monitoring, safety automation, and smart home applications. Get yours today from Seeed Bazaar.
Start Prototyping Healthcare Devices with XIAO
Whether you’re developing wearable diagnostics, preventative wellness tools, or assistive technologies, the Seeed Studio XIAO Series gives you the foundation to build smarter, smaller, and more responsive health tech. With support for BLE, TinyML, and real-time sensing, XIAO empowers makers to explore new possibilities in digital health and rehabilitation.
Explore More
Have a project idea or question? Reach out to us at [email protected]—we’re always excited to hear from makers and developers like you!
Other Reference Designs for Seeed Studio XIAO
Last but not least, for makers and developers who are looking for project inspirations, we’ve curated several similar project collections based on the applications. Feel free to check out to get inspired for your next builds.
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