Google’s Pixel Watch 3 Gains FDA Clearance for Loss of Pulse Detection Feature
The tech giant’s watch has received clearance for a feature that can provide life-saving intervention
Google has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Loss of Pulse Detection feature on the Pixel Watch 3. The innovation can detect a loss of pulse and, if the user is unresponsive, prompt a call to emergency services to potentially provide life-saving intervention in critical moments.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests account for more than 356,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, with over half of these cases occurring without a witness. Google’s Loss of Pulse Detection aims to address this medical challenge.
The feature was first introduced in Fall 2024 for Pixel Watch 3 users in select EU countries. It has since expanded across 14 European nations. Now, with FDA clearance secured, eligible users in the U.S. can access the technology.
Loss of Pulse Detection leverages a multi-check, AI-based algorithm with the Pixel Watch 3’s multipath heart rate sensor to identify potential pulse loss. If the user is unresponsive, the device initiates an alert to emergency services.
Google tested the algorithm over hundreds of thousands of hours of data. The company also worked with a range of experts, including cardiologists, global resuscitation authorities and frontline EMS professionals. Apeer-reviewed study on Loss of Pulse Detection was published today in Nature, a respected scientific journal.
Since its release in late 2024, the Pixel Watch 3 has helped Google expand its presence in the smartwatch market. The latest model introduced a larger 45mm size, improved battery efficiency and expanded health tracking features through Fitbit integration. Google’s estimated 24-hour battery life does trail behind some competitors., however. Despite being a relatively new player in the smartwatch space, Google’s focus on advanced health monitoring suggests a long-term strategy of differentiation through medical-grade technology, potentially bridging the gap between traditional consumer wearables and regulated medical devices.