Supporting researchers for over 30 years

In the 1980s, psychophysiology research was largely confined to the lab and faced several practical challenges, including limited replication of naturalistic settings, fewer accessible data collection methods, and underdeveloped digital infrastructure. Recognising this, Eco de Geus and colleagues sought to push the boundaries of discovery by observing participants outside the lab. Ambulatory research would not only expand opportunities for researchers to explore their areas of interest, but also test whether theories remain valid when data is collected in real-world settings. By 1988, Eco de Geus and colleagues had produced a prototype for an ambulatory monitor capable of recording autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity for 20 minutes using ECG and ICG sensors. This technological achievement paved the way for out-of-laboratory physiology monitoring and marked the beginning of a new era in psychophysiology research.

This year marked a major shift in ambulatory research with the development of the VU-AMS 5fs device. This model introduced new metrics, such as stroke volume and cardiac output, providing researchers with high-quality data derived from ANS activity captured outside the laboratory. The VU-AMS 5fs device, our longest-standing ambulatory monitor, facilitated hundreds of studies across various disciplines, from cardiovascular science to menopausal research. Capable of measuring ECG, ICG, and movement for up to 24 hours using seven electrodes, it marked a new era of ambulatory monitoring and established reliable, research-grade physiological data as the gold standard before commercial wearables became widely popular.

By 2023, VU-AMS had reached a major milestone: the fourth generation of ambulatory monitors. The VU-AMS 7, the precursor to the VU-AMS Core, was designed to give researchers even more freedom, flexibility, and convenience. Without compromising data quality, the VU-AMS 7 offered a smoother user experience with fewer cables, a lighter device capable of live data visualisation, remote control, and topical placement (which also improved movement data accuracy).