Samsung Develops AI Feature On Galaxy Watch For Heart Failure Detection

JAKARTA - Samsung has again shown its seriousness in delivering health innovations through wearables. The South Korean company is reportedly developing an artificial intelligence-based advanced (AI) algorithm capable of detecting early heart failure symptoms using electrocardiogram (ECG) data from Galaxy Watch. In addition, Samsung is also testing brain monitoring technology which is currently still in the prototype stage.

Galaxy Watch has been known for its advanced health features, ranging from heart rate tracking, oxygen saturation, to irregular heart rhythm detection. However, Samsung doesn't seem to stop there. According to a recent report, the company is developing technology that can detect Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD), a condition that weakens the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body.

This new feature was developed with Korea's startup healthtech Medical AI, which creates a dedicated algorithm for reading and interpreting ECG data from Galaxy Watch. Readout results are then compared with clinical data 12-lead ECG (medical standards used by hospitals). With this technology, the system is expected to be able to detect LVSD only through single-lead ECG from smartwatches, with a high level of accuracy.

This innovation goes far beyond the ability of smartwatches in general, which usually only detect irregular heartbeats and with limited accuracy.

Samsung has even obtained approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea (MFDS) for this technology. The AI system runs through an application called AiTiA LVSD-1L, which is tasked with measuring ECG data and providing an analysis of the results. Clinical trials have also been carried out and provide promising results, although Samsung still needs to get additional regulatory permits before launching them to market.

In addition to the heart failure detection feature, Samsung is also known to be developing brain monitoring technology using wearable devices. In this project, Samsung collaborated with Hanyang University to create a prototype of the EEG (electroencephalography) device worn around the ear.

This device has been tested to detect drowsiness, which is considered to be able to improve safety while driving. Not only that, this EEG technology can also monitor brain responses to certain content, opening up great opportunities in the health sector and digital entertainment.

Although it is still in its early stages, if this development manages to pass a series of trials, it is not impossible that the technology will be embedded in the Galaxy Buds or even present as separate devices in the future.

With this innovation, Samsung seems to want to make their wearables more than just a simple medical tracking device, but a sophisticated medical device capable of providing early warnings to serious illness while improving user safety.