Jonathan Manzi of Beyond Protocol Testing a Biometric Suit That Monitors Vital Signs

Tech entrepreneur Jonathan Manzi and his company Beyond Protocol have partnered with Vanderbilt University to test a new way of monitoring vital signs. Matt Schultz, the lead singer of a rock band known as Cage the Elephant, has begun wearing a biometric suit during performances. Among other things, this wearable technology produces real-time data on his heart rate and brain wave activity. Beyond Protocol hopes to use this information for mental health research and medical care purposes. It employs blockchain systems to transmit data securely.

Jonathan Manzi on How the Biometric Suit Works

The startup utilized a three-dimensional printer to manufacture its first suit. This garment's sensors detect vital health signs and send the information to researchers. They can use the data to learn about a performer or athlete's mental state. These statistics may also help medical experts identify health problems at an early stage. Vanderbilt University's research could lead to additional advancements in the biometrics field, according to Beyond Protocol CEO Jonathan Manzi.

The accomplished internet entrepreneur frequently stresses the importance of privacy and security. He believes blockchain represents the best way to protect sensitive health data from criminals. It ensures that a biometric suit can safely transmit information to specific computers at the university, a hospital or a doctor's office. Beyond Protocol envisions using vital health monitoring to help physicians select suitable medical treatments. Manzi also anticipates the creation of further blockchain-based biometric products by a variety of developers who will benefit from his company's standardized framework.

As he prepared for a recent ATLive concert, Matt Schultz put on the new health monitoring suit. This event took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during early November. It featured performances by Cage the Elephant, Greta Van Fleet and Metallica. In addition to Manzi, Wond'ry Fiber Arts Lab Director Alexandra Sargent Capps and Beyond Protocol Senior Adviser Tony Loiacono attended this concert to see the biometric suit in action. Loiacono also serves as the chief executive of Heads and Tails, Inc.

The suit's sensors monitor mental activity in multiple ways. They can detect each electrical impulse or chemical shift that takes place inside of the brain. The university's Wond’ry Innovation Center will help Beyond Protocol develop and test the equipment. These wearable health devices aren't restricted to the laboratory or concert stage. They stand up to rough activities involving movement over larger areas. For instance, football player Rob Gronkowski has agreed to let Beyond Protocol monitor his vital signs while he competes on the field.

The Advancement of Biometric Technology

In the early days of biometrics, people began using electronic devices to automatically identify fingerprints. This technology has advanced to the point that computers can recognize individual faces. Some recently developed systems identify people by scanning their feet or irises instead. Biometrics could eventually make it possible for speech recognition to verify personal identities in a reliable way. Developers often find that they need to address concerns about privacy and accuracy before such technologies can achieve widespread adoption.

Meanwhile, vital health monitoring has progressed as wearable electronics become increasingly compact and dependable. They range from smart t-shirts to computerized watches. For example, Samsung added new monitoring capabilities to its Galaxy 3 smartwatch in January 2021. Users in certain countries can now check their blood pressure with the watch. Health-related wearables currently produce more than $16 billion in global business revenue. As these devices gain sophistication, designers must ensure their practicality by prioritizing comfort and keeping energy consumption to a minimum.

Who is Jonathan Manzi, CEO of Beyond Protocol?

Manzi became a highly successful entrepreneur at a rather young age. He founded an advertising firm known as Vintage Network when he was only 15 years old. His net worth surpassed $1 million in less than two years. The young man continued to oversee his business while attending Stanford University. He primarily studied engineering and management. During Jonathan Manzi's college years, Vintage Network already had two locations and 18 staff members. The entrepreneur founded a second company named Ink Labs before leaving Stanford.

His printing startup developed a kiosk called the Ink Smart Station. It conveniently scanned, printed and copied papers. Although Manzi initially ran the company from his apartment, he had hired 25 people by 2017. The firm left Silicon Valley and set up headquarters in Nebraska during the same year. Manzi decided to focus on the higher education market. Ink Labs began serving customers at the state university in Lincoln, Nebraska. It eventually established partnerships with more than 10 colleges.

Today, Jonathan Manzi concentrates on running California-based Beyond Protocol. The company strives to develop practical technologies that enhance communication between internet-connected devices and boost security. It designs these systems to accommodate new equipment like biometric wearables and self-driving cars better than the conventional TCP/IP protocol that was created to serve a network of stationary computers. The firm's market capitalization stands at $100 million dollars. It plans to make a native token available for purchase prior to going public, according to Manzi. The young CEO is also an accomplished speaker, and also writes a blog about business and technology.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes