What is BioDrive®?
BioDrive® is Shiftwave’s patented real-time heart rhythm feedback feature. It mirrors your internal state by adjusting vibration intensity as your heart rate rises and falls - letting you feel your heart's natural rhythms through touch.
Using the included pulse sensor, BioDrive® creates a feedback loop between your heartbeat and the full-body vibration patterns you feel.
↑ When your heart rate rises - vibration intensity increases.
↓ When your heart rate falls - vibration eases.
This physical feedback is designed to help users become more aware of their internal rhythms.
How is BioDrive® different?
Standard Shiftwave protocols use pre-programmed vibration to guide your nervous system through a designed experience. Our patented BioDrive® flips that model: it listens to your heart rate in real time and adjusts vibration accordingly — creating a closed-loop feedback system where your body influences the experience.
This shift from feedforward to feedback allows you to:
- Explore your personal resonance frequency (typically 5–7 breaths per minute)
- Receive real-time feedback on how your breath may be influencing heart rhythm patterns
- Notice when your rhythm changes or becomes irregular
How to Use BioDrive®
Setup is simple - you’ll be ready in 30 seconds.
Place your index or middle finger into the blue pulse sensor (either hand is fine - use the one closest to the control knob for comfort)
Wait for a smooth pulse wave to appear on your screen. This indicates a strong signal.
Either select a BioDrive®-specific protocol, such as HRV BioDrive®, or Start any protocol and turn on the BioDrive® switch on your screen.
If you're new to HRV training or BioDrive®, start with gentle intensity and short sessions.
Let your body become familiar with the feedback experience gradually.
Tips for a Good Session
- Start at zero intensity: Begin with vibrations off to establish your baseline. Then gradually increase until you can feel subtle feedback from your body.
- Breathe slowly and regularly: Aim for ~6 sec in, ~6 sec out (about 5–7 breaths/min). This rhythm is commonly associated with coherent heart-rate patterns.
- Feel the vibration feedback: You may notice vibrations rising on inhale and softening on exhale.
- Stay curious: Explore how breath, posture, or mood affect the rhythm to build interoceptive awareness.
- Give it time: Some sense alignment quickly; others need a few sessions.
- Optional – Use calming sound: Music or protocol audio can support steady, slow breathing.
This shift from feedforward to feedback allows you to:
- Explore your personal resonance frequency (typically 5–7 breaths per minute)
- Receive real-time feedback on how your breath may be influencing heart rhythm patterns
- Notice when your rhythm changes or becomes irregular
When to Use BioDrive®
BioDrive® can be activated during any Shiftwave protocol. When turned on, it replaces the pre-set vibration pattern with real-time feedback based on your heart rate.
However, BioDrive® works best during unguided, slow-wave portions of protocols. Many protocols pair narration and breathing cues with specific vibration patterns. If you enable BioDrive® during those guided portions, the feedback will not align—and you may lose the intended experience.
Use BioDrive® during:
- Synthetic Sleep (SS) protocols
- Unguided, slow-wave relaxation phases found in protocols like DiscoNap Extended or the final segment of Ride the Tiger
- Any other non-guided, low-frequency vibration segments
For best results: Pair BioDrive® with SS protocols, ambient music, or silence and let your attention follow the vibration feedback.
How It Works
Your heart rate naturally rises as you inhale and slows as you exhale — a pattern known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). Some researchers use RSA as a marker to study autonomic regulation and adaptability.
When you breathe slowly and consistently — around 5 to 7 breaths per minute — this pattern often becomes more pronounced. This type of heart rhythm pattern has been associated in some studies with positive emotional states and recovery.
BioDrive® is designed to mirror this rhythm with vibration. As your heart rate rises, vibration intensity increases. As it falls, vibration softens. This creates a tactile reflection of your internal rhythm.
Unlike traditional HRV tools that use graphs or tones to help the user become aware of these internal signals, BioDrive® uses full-body vibration to provide an embodied form of feedback. The goal is not to reach a particular number or metric, but to increase awareness of your physiological responses.
Why Use BioDrive®
BioDrive® draws from principles used in HRV biofeedback, a practice that research suggests may support emotional regulation, autonomic function, and stress recovery.*
BioDrive® is designed to:
- Help explore rhythmic alignment: Some users find that breathing slowly and consistently leads to smoother heart rate patterns.
- Provide tactile feedback: By mirroring heart rate changes in vibration, BioDrive® offers a physical way to observe internal shifts.
- Support personal discovery: Through repeated practice, users may learn how different breathing rhythms affect their heart patterns.
- Encourage reflection and presence: BioDrive® sessions can create space for increased self-awareness during stress or transitions.
Use BioDrive® when you want to connect with your body’s rhythms in real time or reflect on how breathing influences your state.
Troubleshooting & Tips
Vibration stopped unexpectedly?
The sensor may have lost signal. Check that the pulse sensor is secure and your hand is still. Reinsert your finger and pause if needed.
Can't find the rhythm?
Try a guided breathing protocol first (like SS Pure SS) to establish pacing, then switch on BioDrive once your breath is steady.
Signal feels erratic or delayed?
Cold fingers, movement, or irregular breathing may affect the signal. Try warming your hands or adjusting your position.
Vibration feels too strong or too weak?
Adjust intensity of the vibrations using your control knob. BioDrive® allows a wide range - find what feels supportive for your current state. If problems persist, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider.
Disclaimer
BioDrive® is inspired by principles from HRV biofeedback and whole-body vibration. BioDrive® has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not a medical device.
The potential benefits described are based on general research findings and user observations. Individual experiences vary.
BioDrive® is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
Start gently. Tune in. Let your experience guide you.
