maphera Seamless Mode Switching: From Full Control to Full Mobility

Measuring physiological data outside the lab often requires a compromise: either researchers retain full access to live data and device settings, or participants gain the freedom to move naturally in real-world environments. Seamless Mode Switching eliminates this trade-off.

One of maphera’s key advantages is that researchers no longer have to choose between live access, system control, and subject mobility during data collection in the wild. Our Seamless Mode Switching enables researchers to switch between computer, smartphone, and autonomous operation during an ongoing recording without interrupting data acquisition, allowing them to access live data whenever needed while maintaining maximum participant mobility.

The video demonstrates how sensor nodes automatically connect to the maphera.hub in Lab mode with a windows host device.

Three modes. One continuous measurement.

Depending on the study setup, maphera can operate in three different modes:

In Lab mode, the maphera.hub is connected to a Windows host-device. Our dedicated Windows application provides full access to all configuraitons and high resolution live data including the preprocessing of data for best visualization.

In Mobile mode, the maphera.hub is connected to a smartphone. Our dedicated Anrdoid-App provides high level access to the system including live data.

In Solo mode, the maphera.hub does not need any host device at all as it switches to its on-board power supply. This mode provides maximum mobility; the test subject does not even need to carry a smartphone during recordings.

Unlike conventional systems, switching between these modes does not require stopping or restarting the current measurement. Researchers can move seamlessly from full system control to maximum mobility at any time. Therefore, we call this feature Seamless Mode Switching.

From laptop to pocket: Seamless Mode Switching during real-world data collection

A typical workflow starts at a computer. Researchers configure the sensor network, verify signal quality, and monitor live data.

Once everything is ready, the maphera.hub can simply be handed to the participant while the measurement continues uninterrupted. From this point on, only the sensors nodes and the compact maphera.hub need to be carried, allowing participants to move freely and perform everyday activities in natural environments.

Whenever live access is required, the hub can be connected to a smartphone to inspect data, review recordings, or transfer data to a study server. If full configuration access becomes necessary, a computer connection can be re-established at any time without stopping the measurement.

One Measurement. Three Modes. No Interruptions.

For many studies, maximum mobility is the ultimate goal. Seamless Mode Switching is one of the technologies that makes maphera^® a flexible platform for mobile and multimodal physiological data collection.

In Solo mode, the system starts with a single button press. Previously defined settings are loaded automatically, allowing measurements to begin without a computer or smartphone. This makes maphera^® particularly suitable for decentralized studies, home monitoring, outdoor measurements, or long-term recordings in real-world environments.

Full control when you need it. Maximum freedom when you don’t. That is Seamless Mode Switching with maphera^®.

Image copyright: Fraunhofer IIS / Paul Pulkert