Topic detail: BreathState - front-end and feature development as well as device compatibility extension of a phone-based app for heart-rate variability biofeedback and resonance breathing protocols
Required Skills: Fluency with Android/iOS development and Flutter. Basic signal processing familiarity preferred, as well familiarity with at least one of Python/Matlab. Familiarity with a VR framework (e.g. Unity) is a plus.
Time commitment: Full time (350 hours)
About:
In last year’s GSoC (BreathState: GSoC 2025 Final Report · GitHub), we built an open-source app to record heart-rate (via a Bluetooth connection to the Polar H10) and breathing (via the phone microphone) simultaneously and provide a small set of metrics and algorithms operating on the two time-series, along with front-end design to facilitate guided breathing protocols.
Aims: This year’s project can have multiple goals. 1. Interface with a breathing sensor to measure respiration in a better fashion (than using the phone’s microphone). Include support for visualization of ongoing heart-rate variability through a VR device like Meta Quest 3(S) for increased immersion and biofeedback-guided HRV self-adjustment. 3. Interface with Muse to simultaneously record EEG. 4. Improve the front-end and include additional biometrics as well breathing protocols, in collaboration with the clinician mentors. These will allow the study of autonomic nervous function, and will allow biofeedback protocols for mood and health intervention to be implemented via live tracking of breathing and heart-rate.
I’m interested in contributing to the BreathState project for GSoC. I previously contributed in Google Summer of Code (GSoC) and was also selected for Summer of Bitcoin, where I worked on open-source development and collaborative engineering with global maintainers.
I have experience with JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and building interactive applications, and I’m very interested in working on projects related to biofeedback, health tech, and real-time data visualization. BreathState’s goal of integrating breathing protocols, HRV tracking, and biosignal analysis into a mobile app is very exciting.
I’d love to explore the repository and start contributing. Please let me know if there are good first issues or areas where contributors can begin helping.
I’m Krishnanshu Mittal, a software engineer at Upside Down Labs, where I work on bio-potential signal acquisition hardware and software released as open source. I’m somewhat familiar with open-source workflows, but new to contributing to external communities beyond my company’s repositories.
I’m applying for GSoC 2026 and Project 20 (BreathState) is a very strong fit for my background:
Developed an ECG pipeline for BPM detection using PQRST/R-peak detection, and collected ECG data from 60 people at ISF 2026 at IISER Pune (github.com/CIumsy/LX-Beats)
I have worked extensively on real-time EEG/EMG/EOG/ECG signal processing and visualization applications.
Developed a BCI system for ALS patients using real-time EEG/EOG signals, which was awarded First Runner-Up in a CodeClash 2.0 hackathon held at Google’s office.
Familiar with Unity and game development.
Familiar with Flutter and have built basic mobile applications.
The 2026 goals around HRV visualization, breathing sensor integration, and Muse EEG support are areas I feel genuinely equipped to contribute to.
I would love to know:
Where would be the best place to start contributing to the codebase?
Are there any open issues or tasks I can pick up right away?
@clumsy, take the most recent one. for issues/prs, we are not inviting work on this in the 5 days before the proposal deadline. once the gsoc results are announced, we will see who is still around (gsoc intern(s) and/or volunteers) and then we can strategize.
ps. this project seems to be a great fit for you, but please note the 30 hour per week commitment that gsoc requires, given that you have a full-time job. the faq/guidelines recommend against doing this along with a full-time job, i believe… please address this in the space provided for that in the incf gsoc template.
The 2026 goals around HRV visualization, breathing sensor integration, and Muse EEG support are areas I feel genuinely equipped to contribute to. – these are fine to focus on.
Thank you for the guidance, Suresh. I’ll address the 30 hours/week commitment and how I plan to manage it alongside my full-time job clearly in the INCF proposal template. Looking forward to writing a strong proposal.
I’m currently new to GSoC and Neurostars, and I tried to send you a DM, but I’m unable to see the messaging option on your profile (possibly due to trust level restrictions).
In the meantime, I’ve carefully gone through the topic page and updated my proposal accordingly.
