Google announced on Wednesday that it has received FDA clearance for the Pixel Watch 3’s “Loss of Pulse Detection” feature and will be launching it in the U.S. at the end of March.
The feature can detect when a user’s heart stops beating due to an event like primary cardiac arrest, respiratory or circulatory failure, overdose, or poisoning. If the watch detects a loss of pulse, it will ask the user if they are okay. If they are unresponsive, the watch will automatically place a call to emergency services for potentially life-saving care.
Loss of Pulse Detection first launched in the EU in September 2024, and is currently available in 14 countries.
When Google announced the feature at last year’s Made By Google event, the company noted that the watch determines a loss of pulse event by not only checking a user’s pulse, but by also looking at other physiological and motion data. It then ties these factors together via a smart AI-driven algorithm.
Google notes that “Loss of Pulse Detection may not detect every instance of a loss of pulse and is not intended for users with preexisting heart conditions or those who require cardiac monitoring. It does not diagnose or treat any medical condition or provide follow-up care. Emergency calling is dependent on call functionality such as your phone or watch being charged and having adequate cellular connectivity.”
The new feature joins Pixel Watch’s other safety and health features, including Car Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications, and the ECG app.
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