Bodyfriend Obtains Patent for Massage Chair Capable of Measuring Stress

Bodyfriend LBF750 model

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Bodyfriend (CEO Park Sang-hyun) announced on the 3rd that it has obtained a patent for a massage chair capable of measuring stress. The company registered a patent for a massage device and user terminal that provide a stress index. Through this patent, Bodyfriend can measure physical and psychological stress indices and then offer customized massages accordingly. They plan to provide a 'Total Wellness Solution' to relieve mental and physical fatigue.

This patent is based on the common stress measurement method called Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV refers to the periodic variation in heart rate according to changes in the autonomic nervous system. Just as a smartwatch measures heart rate through wrist pulse, Bodyfriend installed contact modules in various parts of the massage chair to measure the user's heart rate. Then, by adding data from a proprietary stress algorithm, they determine physical and psychological stress indices and calculate the final stress index.

Based on the calculated stress index, Bodyfriend plans to equip future massage chairs with a 'Healing Massage' program that provides music and customized massages. A Bodyfriend representative explained, "Bodyfriend continuously develops technologies and programs utilizing various physical data information, centered on the Medical R&D Center, which includes specialists from various fields."

Meanwhile, Bodyfriend has invested approximately 65.6 billion KRW in massage chair research and development over the past five years and is increasing its investment annually to focus on developing new technologies.