Google’s Pixel Watch 3 Gets FDA-Approved Life-Saving Tech | Image Source: www.mobihealthnews.com
Mountain View, California, March 07, 2025 – Google has officially released Wear OS 5.1, bringing important updates to its Pixel Watch alignment. However, the most innovative development comes with the FDA cleaning of pulse detection loss, an advanced ability to save lives that could redefine smartwatch health surveillance. This technology, excluding Pixel Watch 3, has been in development for years and aims to help users in critical health emergencies.
What is Wear OS 5.1, and what’s new?
Wear OS 5.1 is the latest iteration of Google’s smartwatch operating system, built on Android 15. Follow Wear OS 5 (Android 14) and Wear OS 4 (Android 13). The update is currently underway on the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 3 Wi-Fi models, while the original LTE and Pixel Watch versions will have to wait.
The update has two key features of the developer:
- Credential Manager Support: A unified authentication solution that streamlines sign-in flows using passwords, passkeys, and federated identity systems such as Google Sign-In.
- Watch Speaker Playback: Users can now select the watch speaker as their preferred media output option when apps integrate with the Wear Output Switcher.
In addition, Wear OS 5.1 brings interface clamps, including a new accent color, replacing the previous yellow theme with a neutral grey, and a redesigned “Active” watch face for the Pixel 3 watch. These improvements improve user experience while paving the way for deeper system improvements.
FDA-approved pulse detection loss: a game changer
The most important update, however, is not only a software modification. Google has been authorized by the FDA for its pulse loss detection technology, an innovation that could potentially save lives. According to Google, this feature is the first of its kind on a mainstream smartphone, which allows the device to detect a sudden loss of impulse and automatically alert emergency services if the user does not respond.
“The authorization of official development assistance is an important step in addressing a critical public health need. Our robust research and testing have confirmed that portable devices capable of detecting time-sensitive emergencies offer the potential to significantly improve health outcomes
The loss of pulse detection uses a combination of sensors, including infrared and red lights, to continuously monitor the user’s pulse. If the pulse is not detected, the watch checks the movement using integrated motion sensors. If no response is recorded, an AI-driven algorithm confirms the event, triggering a back account before automatically calling emergency services.
How does the loss of pulse detection work?
Unlike traditional heart rate monitoring, which simply follows the heart rate per minute, Google’s pulse loss algorithm is designed for real-time intervention. The process follows these steps:
- The watch continuously monitors pulse activity.
- If a loss of pulse is detected, the infrared and red lights attempt to confirm the absence of blood flow.
- The motion sensor checks for user movement.
- If no movement is detected, a countdown begins.
- Upon confirmation, the watch automatically dials emergency services and sends an alert with the user’s location.
This technology has been developed using AI models trained in real world medical data, including cases where patients’ hearts have been deliberately stopped during medical procedures. Google researchers believe that the function could be instrumental in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest, respiratory failure and other potentially fatal conditions.
Google Push for smarter health tracking
Over the past three years, Google has expanded its smart watch capabilities with security and medical care functions. The loss of pulse detection is linked to a set of existing tools, including:
- Fall Detection: Alerts emergency contacts when a hard fall is detected.
- Car Crash Detection: Calls for help if the wearer is in a severe car accident.
- Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications: Monitors for potential heart arrhythmias.
- ECG App: Provides electrocardiogram readings to detect heart abnormalities.
Although these features focus primarily on user safety, the loss of pulse detection goes even further by directly addressing life-threatening emergencies in real time.
Who can benefit from this technology?
Pulse detection loss is not only for people with known heart problems. Cardiac arrest can affect anyone, regardless of age or medical history. According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrestes are produced each year outside of hospitality in the United States, with survival rates largely dependent on the speed of medical assistance.
Google researcher Jake Sunshine, who participated in the project, highlighted the importance of early detection:
“The loss of impulses is a disease that can happen to anyone, young people, the elderly, and can be caused by various causes, both inside and outside the heart. Our goal was to create a technology that connects users to the fastest emergency services when no one else is there
When will this function be available?
While the pulse detection loss feature was initially announced for the EU in 2025, it will now be extended to the US by the end of March 2025, following FDA approval. Technology is currently being supported in 14 countries with expansion plans.
For users of Pixel Watch 3 in the United States, the function will be part of a fall in force in March 2025, which also includes:
- Auto Bedtime Mode: Automatically activates when it detects sleep patterns.
- Improved Step Tracking Algorithm: Enhanced for activities like jogging with a stroller or hiking with poles.
- Menstrual Tracking: Allows users to log periods and predict cycles.
- Media Controls Upgrade: Improves audio control integration.
Although the technology is promising, Google has warned that the loss of pulse detection cannot detect every example of cardiac arrest and is not intended for users who need continuous heart surveillance. The efficiency of the function will also depend on the connectivity of the device and battery.
With smart watches that evolve beyond physical fitness monitoring in real-time health surveillance tools, Google’s latest innovation marks a leap forward to make usable technology an essential component of emergency health.
