Form factor
Aidlab 2
Reusable chest module attached to an electrode strap
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Sensorized smart shirt with a recording module
Product comparison
Aidlab 2 vs Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Hexoskin Smart Shirt pairs a fitted sensorized garment with 1-lead ECG and dual RIP respiration. Aidlab 2 uses a reusable chest module and adds EDA, skin temperature, 9-axis motion, microphone, and GNSS to its ECG and chest-respiration workflow.
COMPARED MODEL
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Sensorized garment plus a detachable recording device
- 1-lead ECG at 256 Hz, dual RIP respiration at 128 Hz per channel, and 3-axis acceleration at 64 Hz [5]
- Raw and processed data are available through documented API and export formats [4][5]
- The shirt requires a selected garment size, skin contact, and a separate recording device [6][7]
EDITORIAL INTERPRETATION
The 30-second verdict
This decision guide is Aidlab's interpretation of the documented capabilities below, not a controlled head-to-head result.
CHOOSE AIDLAB 2 IF
- A reusable chest module is preferred over managing participant-sized garments.
- EDA, skin temperature, motion, GNSS, and chest respiration belong in one device plan.
- A host SDK and compact hardware matter more than a sensorized garment.
CHOOSE HEXOSKIN SMART SHIRT IF
- A sensorized shirt is acceptable or desirable for the protocol.
- Separate thoracic and abdominal RIP channels are required.
- A garment, recording module, cloud workflow, and file export suit the study design.
DECISION BOUNDARY
This is a choice between a reusable chest module and an instrumented garment. Hexoskin documents more explicit respiration-channel separation; Aidlab 2 documents more modalities in the compact module.
DOCUMENTED CAPABILITIES
Garment, signals, and data delivery
The rows distinguish the physical setup from the signals and software path. They do not infer comfort, adherence, or accuracy without a controlled study.
| Criterion | Aidlab 2 | Hexoskin Smart Shirt | Editorial interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Reusable chest module attached to an electrode strap | Sensorized smart shirt with a recording module | |
| Cardiac signal | 1-lead ECG, heart rate, and RR intervals | Single-lead ECG on the Smart Shirt; additional ECG channels are model-dependent | |
| Respiration | Chest-movement waveform and respiration rate | Raw thoracic and abdominal RIP waveforms plus derived breathing metrics | |
| Additional sensing | EDA, skin temperature, 9-axis motion, microphone, and GNSS | 3-axis acceleration on Smart Shirt; other signals vary by product | |
| Data access | Live SDK streams plus internal recording and later synchronization | REST API and downloads in JSON, binary, CSV, or EDF depending on data | |
| Best fit | Reusable kits, custom apps, field studies, and multimodal prototyping | Garment-centered cardiopulmonary and longitudinal protocols |
Cardiac signal
Aidlab 2
1-lead ECG, heart rate, and RR intervals
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Single-lead ECG on the Smart Shirt; additional ECG channels are model-dependent
Respiration
Aidlab 2
Chest-movement waveform and respiration rate
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Raw thoracic and abdominal RIP waveforms plus derived breathing metrics
Additional sensing
Aidlab 2
EDA, skin temperature, 9-axis motion, microphone, and GNSS
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
3-axis acceleration on Smart Shirt; other signals vary by product
Data access
Aidlab 2
Live SDK streams plus internal recording and later synchronization
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
REST API and downloads in JSON, binary, CSV, or EDF depending on data
Best fit
Aidlab 2
Reusable kits, custom apps, field studies, and multimodal prototyping
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Garment-centered cardiopulmonary and longitudinal protocols
Hexoskin sampling rates are model-specific published specifications.
WEAR → RECORD → EXPORT
The workflow starts before the first sample
Garment sizing, participant setup, recording hardware, and the data hand-off are part of the product decision—not footnotes after it.
1 · Wear
Aidlab 2
Attach the reusable module to a compatible electrode chest strap.
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Select a fitted Smart Shirt, prepare electrode contact, and connect its recording device.
The setups place different demands on sizing, inventory, and participant preparation.
2 · Record
Aidlab 2
Capture ECG, chest movement, EDA, temperature, motion, and other published Aidlab 2 modalities.
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Capture 1-lead ECG, thoracic and abdominal RIP, and 3-axis acceleration through the shirt system.
Hexoskin separates two respiration zones; Aidlab 2 publishes a broader compact sensor set.
3 · Export
Aidlab 2
Build around Aidlab SDK access and the product’s published internal-storage workflow.
Hexoskin Smart Shirt
Use Hexoskin API access and documented JSON, CSV, binary, or EDF exports as applicable.
Confirm the exact file granularity and integration path during protocol design.
QUESTIONS BUYERS ASK
Frequently asked questions
The comparison targets the Hexoskin Smart Shirt. Astroskin and other Hexoskin products have different sensors, including model-dependent ECG channels and skin temperature, so they should be evaluated separately.
Both do. Aidlab provides a chest-movement respiration waveform; Hexoskin provides separate thoracic and abdominal RIP waveforms and derived breathing metrics.
Aidlab 2 is the closest portfolio match because it adds EDA, GNSS, larger internal storage, and newer connectivity to the ECG, respiration, temperature, and motion foundation.
SOURCES
Official documentation used
Every capability above links to the manufacturer documentation used.
Last reviewed
- Aidlab 2 product page
Official model-specific signals, form factor, intended use, and availability.
- Aidlab SDK: data types and events
Official signal definitions, units, storage behavior, and SDK callbacks.
- Aidlab SDK documentation
Official integration documentation for supported platforms.
- Hexoskin API reference
Official raw ECG, respiration, accelerometer, RR interval, API, and export documentation.
- Hexoskin sensor placement and specifications
Official model-level ECG, dual RIP respiration, acceleration, and sensor placement specifications.
- Hexoskin Smart Shirt product page
Official garment construction, sizing, and separate-device requirement.
- Hexoskin Smart Shirt quick start
Official participant setup, electrode-contact, garment, and application workflow.
Caveats
- No controlled accuracy, comfort, or adherence study between Aidlab 2 and Hexoskin Smart Shirt was performed for this page.
- Hexoskin Smart Shirt, ProShirt, and Astroskin are distinct products; this page is scoped to Smart Shirt documentation.
NEXT STEP
Review the documented requirements with your protocol
Compare the required signals, recording mode, connectivity, and data path before choosing a device.