Zephyr Technology

About Zephyr Technology

Zephyr Technology Corporation provides real-time physiological and biomechanical monitoring solutions, operating within the defense, first responder, professional sports, research, and healthcare markets. The company was established in New Zealand in 2003 by Brian Russell, a biomedical engineer with previous experience designing silicon chips and fiber optic transceivers at companies like Nokia and Analog Devices. His background in engineering and human performance in extreme environments directly informed the company's direction.

Initially, Zephyr developed products like a diabetic peripheral neuropathy monitor before focusing on Physiological Status Monitoring (PSM) systems for high-stress environments. The firm gained significant recognition for its Bio-Harness™ technology, a chest strap that measures vital signs such as heart rate, ECG, breathing rate, and skin temperature, combined with an accelerometer for activity and posture data. This system saw notable use in monitoring the 33 miners trapped during the 2010 Copiapó mining accident in Chile, where the data helped doctors prioritize their rescue and immediate medical treatment. The company also partnered with Under Armour to monitor athletes at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine.

The business model is centered on selling its hardware, including the Bio-Harness, and accompanying software like OmniSense, which allows for the remote analysis and display of data for up to 50 subjects. Its offerings are segmented into professional and consumer products. Professional solutions, like the BioHarness, are designed for high-fidelity monitoring in the field, while consumer devices include heart rate monitors for fitness applications. The technology integrates patented fabric sensors into garments or straps, which communicate wirelessly via protocols like Bluetooth to a software platform for analysis. This allows clients in military, healthcare, and sports to track performance, safety, and health in real-time.

In 2009, the company moved its headquarters to Annapolis, Maryland, in the U.S. After raising approximately $13.3 million in venture capital from investors including 3M Ventures and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, Zephyr Technology was acquired by Covidien in May 2014. Subsequently, Medtronic acquired Covidien in 2015, making Zephyr a part of one of the world's largest medical device companies.