The Google Pixel Watch 3 is set to revolutionize wearable health technology with its first-of-its-kind Loss of Pulse Detection feature. Starting this week, users will begin to see this potentially life-saving update rolling out to their devices. This feature marks a significant step forward in proactive health monitoring and emergency response. The FDA-cleared Loss of Pulse Detection feature works by continuously tracking your heartbeat. Should your heart stop beating due to events like cardiac arrest, respiratory or circulatory failure, overdose, or poisoning, the watch will automatically activate more accurate infrared LEDs and analyze motion data to confirm the loss of pulse. This sophisticated system is designed to differentiate between a genuine cardiac event and simply removing the watch. To utilize this feature, Pixel Watch 3 users must manually opt-in through the Google Pixel Watch App. Navigate to the Safety and Emergency settings, then select Loss of Pulse Detection to enable it. This ensures users are fully aware and in control of the feature's activation. If the watch determines that you are unresponsive, it will initiate a countdown accompanied by an audio alarm. If there is still no response, the watch will automatically contact emergency services using your LTE or phone connection. It will then inform them that you do not have a pulse and share your precise location, ensuring rapid assistance. While safety features like fall detection and crash detection are already available on many smartwatches, the Loss of Pulse Detection feature stands out due to its complexity and the need for FDA clearance. Other smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, track heart rate less frequently, typically every 3 to 7 minutes. The Pixel Watch 3's continuous monitoring provides a more immediate and responsive detection system. Google collaborated with cardiologists to develop this innovative feature. Sandeep Waraich, senior director of product management for Pixel wearables, explained that pulse detection is based on a combination of pulse, heartbeat, skin contact, and motion analysis. This data was crucial in building an AI algorithm that could accurately detect loss of pulse events. The AI algorithm underwent rigorous testing, using hundreds of thousands of hours of real-life user data from a diverse group of people. Google also employed stunt actors wearing tourniquets to simulate a lack of pulse and mimic falls that would occur when someone suddenly loses their pulse. This comprehensive testing ensures the feature's reliability and accuracy in real-world scenarios. The rollout of the Loss of Pulse Detection feature began this week and will continue over the next few weeks, gradually reaching all Pixel Watch 3 users. This update underscores Google's commitment to integrating advanced health monitoring capabilities into its wearable technology, potentially saving lives in critical situations.
