Samsung and Apple's Focus on Non-Invasive Health Monitoring
Both Samsung and Apple are making significant strides in the field of wearable technology, specifically in the development of non-invasive methods for monitoring vital health metrics such as blood glucose levels and blood pressure. This competition between the two tech giants is expected to lead to significant advancements in health monitoring devices within the next five years.
Apple's Exploration of Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring
Apple has been actively exploring non-invasive blood glucose monitoring techniques for several years. The goal of these methods is to eliminate the need for skin piercing and blood extraction, making the process much easier and more convenient for patients.
Huawei's Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Capability
Huawei, on the other hand, has already released a watch called the Huawei Watch 4, which features a non-invasive glucose monitoring capability. This function assesses the risk of high blood sugar by measuring ten health metrics. However, it does not directly read blood glucose levels. There are some uncertainties surrounding the accuracy and functionality of Huawei's innovation in this area.
Samsung's Vision for Non-Invasive Monitoring
Hon Pak, Samsung Mobile's Head of Digital Health, emphasized the importance of non-invasive blood glucose monitoring for diabetes patients in a recent Bloomberg interview. He believes that wearable devices capable of continuously measuring blood pressure and blood glucose will revolutionize health management. Pak stated that these technologies will be available in some form within the next five years, although no specific timeline was provided.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
Samsung's Galaxy Watch already includes blood pressure measurement features, but it requires frequent calibration and does not provide continuous monitoring. However, Samsung is working on the development of the Galaxy Ring, a wearable device that focuses on tracking activity and sleep quality. Over time, it will incorporate more advanced health monitoring features.
Continuous Wearability and Enhanced Smart Headphones
The Galaxy Ring is designed for comfort, allowing for continuous wear to ensure accurate health data tracking. This sets it apart from smartwatches, which often need to be removed for charging, interrupting constant health monitoring.
Additionally, Samsung plans to enhance its smart headphones to measure body temperature and heart rate. According to the company's vice president, the ear is an ideal location for such measurements due to its proximity to the heart. When combined with data from smartwatches, these readings from headphones could offer a more comprehensive view of a user's health.
In conclusion, both Samsung and Apple are making significant strides in the development of non-invasive health monitoring solutions. With their ongoing efforts, we can expect to see major advancements in wearable technology and health management within the next five years.