Assistance with MAX86174 for Smart Wearable Device Development

Hello,

I am developing a smart wearable device featuring early detection and fall detection capabilities. Our current setup includes:

• Microcontroller: ESP32-S3
• IMU Sensor: LSM6DSLTR
• Previous PPG Sensor: MAX30102

We found that the MAX30102 is not suitable for our application due to significant motion artifacts and its limitation to a single LED, which affects accuracy during wrist movements.

We are considering the MAX86174 as a potential PPG sensor for our project because of its multiple LED support and integrated accelerometer for motion artifact reduction.

Our key requirements are:

1. Multiple LED Support: To reduce motion artifacts and improve accuracy during wrist movements.
2. Raw Data Access: Ability to retrieve raw PPG data for custom algorithm development.
3. Availability in India: Must be in stock, not obsolete, and not subject to import restrictions.
4. Production-Ready: Suitable for scaling up without significant redesign.
5. Accuracy and Optimization: High-quality readings tailored to our use case.
6. Accessible Technical Resources: Well-documented with available support.

Challenges:

• The evaluation kit for the MAX86174 is priced around $200, which is beyond our current budget.
• We are seeking ways to obtain samples of the MAX86174 sensor to proceed with development.

Our Questions:

1. Is the MAX86174 the right choice for our project considering our requirements and constraints?
2. Is it possible to obtain samples of the MAX86174 sensor at a reduced cost or free of charge?
3. Can we effectively integrate the MAX86174 into our project without the evaluation kit? If so, any guidance would be appreciated.
4. Are there alternative sensors you would recommend that meet our requirements?

We are eager to move forward with our development and would greatly appreciate any assistance or recommendations you can provide.

Thank you for your support.