Apple may put a heart rate sensor, other health features in AirPods

Apple AirPods

Earlier this year, Apple introduced a couple of health features for the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro now have a hearing test feature and can also double up as hearing aids. Now, a report by Bloomberg suggests that Apple wants to up the ante when it comes to health features in AirPods.

As per the report, Apple wants to include a range of advanced health features, including a heart rate monitor, a temperature sensor, and new sensors designed to track various physiological metrics. However, the top priority is development of the heart rate monitoring technology through a sensor in the AirPods.

Apple, as per the report, has done internal testing of heart rate sensor on AirPods. But it isn’t as accurate as the Apple Watch though not “terribly far off” either.

There is no word on when these health features will roll out and could take a couple of years. AirPods Pro 3 could be when some of the features could arrive.

It’s not just health features which Apple is looking at for the AirPods. The report mentions that Apple is exploring the integration of cameras into AirPods — a project that was previously shelved but has been revived due to the company’s renewed focus on AI-driven products. According to the report, putting cameras in AirPods is now a priority for both the AI and AirPods teams. However, it might be a few years before we see cameras in AirPods.