Apple is exploring a groundbreaking feature for its upcoming AirPods Pro 3: heart rate monitoring through acoustic-based sensors. Recent research, conducted in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, demonstrates how Apple’s in-house AI model, CLAP (Contrastive Language-Audio Pretraining), can estimate heart rate using acoustic data from sources like stethoscope recordings.
How It Works
CLAP, originally developed for automatic speech recognition, was retrained using publicly available phonocardiogram (PCG) datasets. This training enables the model to classify heart-related sounds and output beats-per-minute (BPM) estimates. The existing in-ear microphones in Apple’s earbuds, currently used for features like Active Noise Cancellation, could potentially capture the necessary acoustic data for heart rate analysis.
Previous Health Tracking Features
This development wouldn’t be Apple’s first venture into earbuds with health tracking capabilities. Earlier this year, Apple-owned Beats released the Powerbeats Pro 2, which includes heart-rate monitoring via optical sensors. However, integrating acoustic-based sensing into AirPods could provide an alternative to optical components.
Future Features and Enhancements
The AirPods Pro 3 is expected to receive several upgrades. A previous Bloomberg report suggested that Apple is working on integrating cameras into future AirPods Pro models. These cameras could enable Apple’s AI-driven Visual Intelligence system, offering real-time assistance based on the user’s physical surroundings. This technology could also provide significant accessibility benefits for visually impaired users, including real-time navigation and object recognition.
Current Health Features in AirPods Pro 2
The current AirPods Pro 2 already boasts several hearing health features, including a software-based Hearing Aid function. This feature uses a pure-tone audiometry-based Hearing Test to assess the user’s hearing profile and then adjusts audio playback in real-time to enhance voices, music, and calls based on the user’s needs.
Conclusion
While Apple hasn’t confirmed the commercial implementation of these features, the potential integration of heart rate monitoring and advanced health tracking capabilities into AirPods Pro 3 represents a significant step forward in wearable health technology. As Apple continues to innovate in the health and fitness space, users can expect more sophisticated and integrated health features in future products.
