Each generation of the Apple Watch has brought along rumors about the health sensors it could include. And, with each generation, there’s a set of sensors that regularly come up in discussions. Blood glucose sensors and blood pressure sensors are the foremost examples of these.
Rumors, however, come in various forms. Not all sources are equally reliable, and not all predictions materialize when we see the new watch take the stage at Apple Park every September. This time, though, it’s Apple itself that has unintentionally leaked information pointing directly to the blood pressure sensor making its way to the Apple Watch.
A sensor with many applications
A recent job listing reveals that Apple is researching the implementation of strain gauges or extensometers, hinting at advancements in strength training tracking capabilities on the Apple Watch. And that’s not all.
The job listing comes directly from Apple’s Health Technologies team, which is seeking engineers with experience in analog electronics and preferably in mechatronic systems that use actuators, temperature sensors, strain gauges, and photodiodes.
The most interesting aspect is that the Apple Watches we know already feature actuators, temperature sensors, and photodiodes, but none of them include strain gauges. Thus, Apple is revealing a new sensor. While it can be argued that a job listing is not an absolute guarantee of whether we will see this new sensor in the company’s watch, it is, so far, the clearest and most direct evidence of its inclusion.
Strain gauges, or extensometers, are tools that measure changes in electrical resistance when a force is applied. These sensors are already used in motion tracking systems and physiological monitoring. Several researchers have demonstrated that a single non-invasive strain sensor placed on the wrist can accurately measure the full range of deformations in human skin. However, the most relevant aspect is clearly their ability to monitor blood pressure.
Currently, the Apple Watch measures active calories, time, and heart rate during strength training. While these metrics are crucial for aerobic activities like running or cycling, they have much less relevance in the context of strength training, where heart rate does not accurately reflect effort and load. In contrast, strain gauges could help calculate the specific impact of various strength training exercises, providing a more detailed and accurate view of achieved performance.
Will it come to the Apple Watch this year?
Given the timing of the recently published job listing, it doesn’t seem likely that this sensor will make its way to the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — alongside their new colors. However, we can’t rule it out completely, as we don’t know how long Apple has been testing this technology. In any case, just like this year with watchOS 10 focusing on cycling, a future version of the Apple Watch and watchOS could prioritize strength training.
The ability to track repetitions and sets to calculate muscle loads in the Apple Watch’s Workout app would be just one of the enhancements that could come. This information would be supported by the strain gauge to provide us with a detailed view of our workout.
On the other hand, integrating a blood pressure sensor would not only enhance workout tracking capabilities but could have a significant impact on cardiovascular health monitoring. Having constant and accurate blood pressure readings could help millions of people keep track of their heart health, alerting them to potential risks.
While Apple has not yet officially confirmed this addition, the job listing is a clear indication of where the company is headed with its watch. Anticipation is high, and the possibilities that a blood pressure sensor would offer to the Apple Watch are numerous. We just have to wait for Apple to make this advancement official and see how they integrate it to further enhance the user experience and our health care.
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