Pixel Watch 3 Introduces Life-Saving 'Loss of Pulse' Detection Feature for Enhanced Health Monitoring

With the launch of the Pixel Watch 3, which now offers two size options, Google is unveiling a groundbreaking and potentially life-saving feature: loss of pulse detection. Announced during the Made by Google 2024 event on Tuesday, this innovative smartwatch enhancement aims to identify health emergencies and includes additional features such as a “readiness” score for training, a cardio load score, and personalized daily targets. These tools collectively assess your daily intensity levels, helping you manage your fitness routine effectively.

The standout feature, however, is the loss of pulse detection, which has significant implications even for those who aren’t athletes.

Google defines a loss of pulse as a health crisis that can strike anyone when the heart “is not beating in a life-sustaining manner.” This dangerous condition can result from various issues, including cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, circulatory failure, overdose, poisoning, and more.

The company emphasizes that while current emergency medical systems facilitate rapid help, they rely on someone being present to make an emergency call. Shockingly, more than half of all individuals experiencing such health emergencies are alone at the time, according to Google.

Thanks to the Pixel Watch 3's pioneering feature, if it detects a loss of pulse, it will automatically contact emergency medical services and provide critical information, such as the user's location, ensuring prompt assistance. Additionally, a timer displayed on the watch face allows users to cancel the call in case of a false alarm.

Google explains that the smartwatch assesses a loss of pulse by not only monitoring the pulse rate but also analyzing various physiological and motion data using an advanced AI-driven algorithm built directly into the device.

“We hope this feature can be a transformative moment in personal safety, similar to the introduction of airbags or smoke detectors, standardizing protection against life’s unexpected challenges,” Google stated.

The loss of pulse detection feature will first be available on the Pixel Watch 3 in selected EU countries and the U.K., with plans to expand to additional regions soon.