Apple, Samsung in race to develop world's first blood glucose monitor that doesn't make you bleed

Samsung is intensifying efforts to develop noninvasive glucose monitoring and continuous blood pressure checking, positioning itself in competition with tech giants like Apple.

Hon Pak, a Samsung executive overseeing the initiative, revealed that these advancements are part of a broader strategy to integrate health features into various devices, including the recently announced Galaxy Ring.

In an interview, Pak emphasized the significance of health tracking as a key selling point for smartphones and watches.

Continuous blood pressure tracking and glucose monitoring without skin pricking would be groundbreaking innovations, with Apple already working on a glucose reader that aims to eliminate the need for blood pricks, particularly beneficial for diabetics.

Pak expressed Samsung’s commitment to making substantial investments in achieving continuous blood pressure and glucose monitoring, though he refrained from providing a specific timeline.

He did, however, express hope that noninvasive glucose monitoring could become a reality within the next five years. Samsung is exploring various technologies and miniaturization approaches to achieve these goals.

The recent announcement of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring, equipped with health sensors, aligns with the company’s strategy to cater to users who prefer alternative wearable devices like rings for health tracking.

Pak confirmed that the Galaxy Ring, set to be released before the end of 2024, will feature activity and sleep tracking, with additional health features planned for the future.

While the pricing for the Galaxy Ring is yet to be finalized, Pak indicated that, like Samsung’s Galaxy Watches, it may not be compatible with Apple’s iPhone.

Blood sugar monitoring remains a challenging task, but one with significant potential benefits. Both Samsung and Apple are working on improving blood pressure monitoring, with Samsung aiming for longer periods without calibration.

Pak emphasized that the company is exploring various options to enhance its blood pressure features, seeking to redefine blood pressure in terms of cardiovascular risk.

Beyond wearables, Samsung is exploring different sensors for future earbud versions, including ways to measure body temperature and heart rates.

Pak noted that the ear may provide a closer pathway to the heart than the wrist, and combining data from various sources could offer users a more comprehensive health profile.

In addition to wearables, Samsung is eyeing mixed-reality headsets as a potential frontier for health technology. Pak mentioned the potential applications in meditation and mental health, with the company actively seeking partnerships in these areas.

Meanwhile, Apple is poised to release its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, priced at $3499, with a focus on expanding into the health technology market.

(With inputs from agencies)