Samsung Electronics Co. is considering the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring and continuous blood pressure measurement, focusing on ambitious healthcare goals and competing with Apple Inc. and other tech giants. This work is part of a broader plan to implement health features in various devices, including the recently announced Galaxy Ring, said Samsung executive Hon Pak, who oversees this project. The company aims to fully empower consumers with their well-being through sensors placed on different parts of the body and around the home. Health monitoring is already a significant selling point for smartphones and smartwatches, and Samsung, Apple, and Alphabet Inc. are leveraging these features to attract and retain customers. Creating sensors for continuous blood pressure monitoring and glucose control would be a particularly valuable breakthrough. Apple has been working for years on a glucose reading device that wouldn’t require skin puncture for blood sampling—a potential benefit for millions of people with diabetes. In announcing the work on the health sensor ring, Samsung also confirmed that the Galaxy Ring is expected to be available before the end of 2024 and will come in different colors and sizes. As an option for tracking physical activity and sleep, the ring aims to offer users additional health features in the future.
Smart rings offered by companies like Oura provide an alternative for people who don’t like wearing a watch but still want to track their health indicators and sleep patterns. According to Pak, the ring caters to a group of people who want to monitor their health in a more convenient and less invasive way. This addresses the needs of a specific population that wants to monitor and measure, but in a different way. Samsung has not yet disclosed the price of the Galaxy Ring, but unlike the Galaxy Watch, it most likely won’t be compatible with Apple’s iPhone.
Developing a glucose monitor would be a more demanding task, but one with definite benefits. Current products on the market typically require blood sampling or skin puncture, which is an intrusive process. Apple has been working since around 2010 on a non-invasive approach, and it has made significant progress, as reported by Bloomberg. However, the product is still years away.
Both companies are also working on improving blood pressure monitoring. Samsung’s smartwatches have long offered the ability to measure blood pressure, but this monitoring is not continuous and requires calibration against a separate blood pressure measurement device. Pak said that Samsung is “evaluating all options” to enhance its blood pressure measurement capabilities. The goal is to extend the time between calibrations. “We are seriously thinking about this,” Pak said.
Apple plans to add high blood pressure detection to its smartwatch later this year without the need for calibration, but without providing exact readings. Instead, the watch will inform users that they may have elevated blood pressure. Apple’s expansion into health technology has not been completely smooth. The company recently removed the blood oxygen measurement feature from the Apple Watch after a legal-patent dispute with Masimo Corp.
Pak said that traditional blood pressure readings are not “actually that meaningful” beyond showing the range of normal and abnormal values. “Whether it’s Apple or others, we are trying to define blood pressure in a way that was originally intended, which is: how much cardiovascular risk are you carrying?” he said.
Samsung is also exploring various sensors for future versions of its earbuds. The company is researching new ways to measure body temperature and heart rate, additionally noting that the ear provides a closer pathway to the heart than the wrist. Data from the ear could be combined with data from the wrist and the surrounding environment to provide users with a more comprehensive picture of their health.
Mixed reality overlays may also be a new area of focus in healthcare, Pak said. Apple is ready to enter this market next week when the Vision Pro launches for $3,499. Meditation and mental health could be key areas for such devices, he said.
“We are currently considering partnerships for their development,” Pak said.
FAQ Section Based on the Main Topics and Information Presented in the Article:
1. What does Samsung Electronics Co. do in the field of healthcare?
Samsung Electronics Co. is considering the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring and continuous blood pressure measurement, focusing on ambitious healthcare goals.
2. What are Samsung’s goals in developing health features?
Samsung aims to empower consumers with their well-being through sensors placed on different parts of the body and around the home.
3. What benefits would creating sensors for continuous blood pressure monitoring and glucose control bring?
Creating such sensors would enable non-invasive monitoring of glucose levels and blood pressure, which would be a valuable breakthrough for people with diabetes and other patients.
4. Which companies are competing with Samsung in the field of health monitoring?
Samsung would be competing with Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc., which also utilize health monitoring features in their devices.
5. What are smart rings and what are their advantages?
Smart rings, like the Galaxy Ring, offer an alternative for people who don’t like wearing a watch but still want to track their health indicators and sleep patterns. They are more convenient and less invasive than traditional devices like watches or glucose monitors.
6. What is the price of the Galaxy Ring?
The price of the Galaxy Ring has not been disclosed by Samsung yet.
7. What are Samsung’s and Apple’s plans for blood pressure monitoring?
Both companies are working on advancing blood pressure monitoring. Samsung aims to extend the time between calibrations, and Apple plans to add high blood pressure detection to its smartwatch.
8. What are Samsung’s plans for developing other health features?
Samsung is also exploring various sensors for future versions of its earbuds, as well as mixed reality overlays in the healthcare field, such as measuring body temperature and heart rate.
9. What are the key areas for devices related to meditation and mental health?
Meditation and mental health could be key areas for such devices.
10. Does Samsung plan any partnerships for the development of these technologies?
Samsung is considering partnerships for the development of its health technologies.
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