Google has received FDA clearance for its loss of pulse detection feature available on Pixel Watch 3.
The loss of pulse detection technology checks for an individual’s pulse. Once it detects signs of a loss of pulse, it activates infrared and red lights to search for additional pulse signals. A motion sensor then checks for signs of movement.
An AI algorithm then analyzes the pulse and movement signals to confirm a loss of pulse, which triggers a countdown to see if the user responds.
If no pulse is detected, the watch calls emergency services and sends an automated message to alert the operator of the user’s status and location.
The company announced the technology at its Made by Google event last year, alongside the release of its latest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3.
The technology is available in 14 countries, and with the FDA clearance, the company says it will be available in the U.S. in Pixel Watch 3 devices at the end of March.
“FDA clearance marks an important milestone towards addressing a critical public health need. Our robust research and testing confirmed that wearable devices capable of detecting time-sensitive emergencies offer the potential to significantly improve health outcomes,” Jake Sunshine, Google research scientist, told MobiHealthNews in an email.
“We’re proud of the work our scientists and partners are doing to bring this safety feature to market for U.S. Pixel Watch 3 users and believe it can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
THE LARGER TREND
Jake Sunshine sat down with MobiHealthNews at Google’s Bay View headquarters during the tech giant’s Made by Google event to discuss the creation of the loss of pulse detection technology.
“Loss of pulse is a condition that can happen to anyone—people who are younger, people who are older—and it can happen for a variety of causes, both inside and outside of the heart,” Sunshine said.
“A big challenge is that it is a time-sensitive emergency, and we know that a lot of people experience these events when no one is around. So, we built something to try to identify when these events occur and to try to connect people with help faster, especially if no one’s around, because that would be the most helpful scenario.”
Sunshine said the technology is a first-of-its-kind feature.