Apple has spent years trying to bring a non-invasive blood sugar monitor to its smartwatches but has always come up short due to technological limitations. Shrinking a sensor to a size that can be accommodated in a wearable and take accurate readings is a difficult undertaking, though according to the latest report, Samsung is trying to introduce the technology before its closest rival in the smartphone space. The Korean giant is also attempting to provide an entire suite of health-focused features to consumers and is expected to debut various technologies in a wide range of wearable products.
Samsung is also exploring bringing blood pressure monitoring and is putting a significant investment towards reaching its goal
The recent teaser of the Galaxy Ring is proof that Samsung is getting serious about bringing features that can provide accurate information about the wearer’s health. As reported by Bloomberg, a blood sugar monitor that does not pierce the skin and a blood pressure monitor appear to be the company’s goals. In an interview, Hon Pak, who is Samsung’s mobile digital health chief, oversees these efforts and believes that the company will be in a much stronger position if it focuses on blood pressure and glucose monitoring.
“If we can do continuous blood pressure and glucose, we’re in a whole different ballgame. “I think that’s where everyone is trying to get to. We’re putting significant investment toward that.”
When commenting on the non-invasive blood glucose monitoring feature that debuted on wearable devices, the executive did not provide a launch estimate, though he hopes that the technology can arrive within five years. As for why the Galaxy Ring was teased, Pak says that the device is an alternative for those who do not wish to wear a smartwatch but still want to track metrics such as health and sleep.
“The ring represents that community of people who want health tracking that is more comfortable and less obtrusive. It’s meeting a need of a specific population of people who want to track and measure, but in a different way.”
Additionally, mixed-reality headsets can offer a gateway towards health monitoring, with an earlier report stating that the Apple Vision Pro is being explored to treat mental health problems. When asked if he sees a market for such applications, Pak responded that Samsung is attempting to set up various partnerships, suggesting that it is already in the pipeline. However, the company’s own headset is not expected to be announced until later this year, so we will see how focused Samsung’s division is on making itself a household name in the technology health sector.
News Source: Bloomberg
