Future Fitbit wearables, following the Fitbit Versa XNUMX smartwatch, could feature built-in blood pressure warning technology, according to a patent filed by Fitbit that was discovered this week.
The patent (opens in a new tab) (via The Verge (opens in a new tab)) describes a system that will "compute an estimate of blood pressure from one or more samples of sensor data," the user placing one of their fingers against the screen of the handheld device to get a reading.
It would be a surprise if Fitbit weren't working on this kind of technology, and indeed, we've seen previous studies and previous patents from the company that suggest something like this was in the works. However, it is going to be quite difficult to get it right.
patent predictions
We should drop our usual disclaimer: when you apply for patents, it's not a guarantee that something will actually appear. That said, they offer us a useful window into the kinds of areas that different tech companies are leaning into.
The fact that Fitbit is now part of Google complicates matters further. If this blood pressure monitoring sensor update shows up, it may be a Google Pixel Watch tracking instead of something by the name of Fitbit.
It's worth bearing in mind that recent Galaxy wearables, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch cinco, already offer some form of blood pressure monitoring - although the feature doesn't have regulatory approval for use. In the EU.
Analysis: smarter smart devices
The little computers on our wrists keep getting smarter, adding new features year after year to gather even more data about our health and well-being. The latest Apple Watch XNUMX has a temperature sensor to track your period and ovulation, for example.
Blood pressure capabilities would be another important step forward. Readings are usually taken with a cuff that cuts off and then releases blood flow to get a measurement while the heart is beating (systolic) and resting (diastolic).
Getting something like that crowded to the limits isn't going to be easy, and regulators like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US are going to be watching closely: if the sensors aren't accurate, the technology isn't going to work. to be licensed for consumer use.
At this point, we've seen enough improvements in smartwatches to think that might be possible, but maybe not in the near future. It can also come with a premium in terms of device costs.