Google working on tech that could turn any ANC earbuds into heart rate trackers

Nowadays, tracking your health through technology has become an important part of many people’s lives. Smartwatches can now measure heart rate, but what if, instead of a bulky smartwatch, you could simply wear your earbuds and still measure your heart rate regularly? GOOD, Android Title Reports that Google is exploring ways to turn all active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones into heart rate trackers via a software update.

Google searches for ways to use ET headphones to track heart rate

The company dug audioplethysmography (APG) technology. It should use low-intensity ultrasonic signals emitted from the earphone speakers. The built-in ANC mics should be able to capture these, and this way the headphones should be able to detect subtle changes in the skin and heart rate (in the vessels of the ear canal).

This technology should work on different ear sizes, different ear seals, different skin tones and even while playing music.

Google, however, has encountered some difficulties with this technology. The challenge arises particularly in noisy environments, but Google seems to have succeeded in offering the most accurate signal.

So far, Google has tested 153 people and the search has yielded promising results. In fact, the technology had a median error of 3.21% for heart rate measurements and 2.70% for heart rate variability measurements in various scenarios.

As exciting as this may sound, keep in mind that the research is still in its early stages. So far, it’s unclear whether Google even plans to use APG technology in consumer products.