Apple Executive Hints at Using AirPods to Provide Users More Health Data

[MacRumors]

In a wide-ranging interview about Apple's work and progress in the field of health, the company's vice president of technology, Kevin Lynch, has hinted that Apple may someday use sensor fusion with AirPods to provide more health data to customers.

Currently, the iPhone and Apple Watch both utilize a wide array of sensors to provide users with health data and information independently. In addition, Apple also uses sensor fusion, which combines data from sensors onboard the Apple Watch and iPhone to provide users with a more comprehensive view of their health. In an interview with TechCrunch, Lynch has hinted that Apple may add AirPods to the process of sensor fusion to provide more health data to Apple users.

Perhaps one place to look for even more potential in terms of future health capabilities lies in sensor fusion, however. Walking steadiness is the result of not just the iPhone or the Apple Watch acting independently, but of what’s possible when the company can use them in combination. It’s another place where Apple’s tight integration of software and hardware give it an edge, and it multiplies as Apple’s ecosystem of devices, and the sensors they carry, continues to grow.

I ended our interview by asking Lynch about what kind of possibilities might open up when you consider that AirPods, too, contain their own sensors and gather different data that could complement that monitored by the iPhone and Apple Watch in terms of health.

“We already do sensor fusion across some devices today, and I think there’s all kinds of potential here,” he said.

The suggestion from Lynch lines up with reporting from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has said that Apple does plan to introduce health tracking for AirPods. More recently, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the second-generation AirPods Pro, due for release next year, will include "updated motion sensors with a focus on fitness tracking."

During the remainder of the interview, Lynch also discusses new health features in iOS 15, such as Health Tracking and Walking Steadiness. The executive, who has led Apple Watch development, also discussed how the Apple Watch has evolved into an "intelligent guardian" for users' health.

Kevin Lynch and Apple's Deidre Caldbeck also joined YouTuber Rene Ritchie for an interview about the Apple Watch and health.

Article Link: Apple Executive Hints at Using AirPods to Provide Users More Health Data

 

[Justin Cymbal]

This is awesome!

I would love to see Apple expand additional health features into AirPods

I currently have the AirPods Pro but if Apple adds additional health features, I definitely will get the new version

 

[fwmireault]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

 

[WWPD]

Earwax buildup warnings on your mobile devices.

 

[HiVolt]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

Exactly what I was gonna write. Like maybe only for workouts, really, if it can measure some other metric other than what a watch can do, otherwise the battery in the airpods does not last long, nor do you wear the airpods (or any other earphone or headphone) unless you're listening to audio content or talking on the phone.

Cramming more sensors into already such a tiny device will no doubt reduce battery life for it's main purpose, listening to audio.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This is where $$$ is at. Person’s health data. This is what Apple is after

 

[02275629]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

Easy. Body temperature measurements (ie fever). I’m really excited for this! Can’t wait for them to implement it.

 

[coumerelli]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

Exactly what I was gonna write. Like maybe only for workouts, really, if it can measure some other metric other than what a watch can do, otherwise the battery in the airpods does not last long, nor do you wear the airpods (or any other earphone or headphone) unless you're listening to audio content or talking on the phone.

Cramming more sensors into already such a tiny device will no doubt reduce battery life for it's main purpose, listening to audio.

As I sit here eating my lunch...maybe chewing efficacy? 😂

 

[honglong1976]

Easy. Body temperature measurements (ie fever). I’m really excited for this! Can’t wait for them to implement it.

And stability. The Airpods have a gyroscope. They can check out if you are walking straight or not. Helpful for back problems for example.

 

[ajfahey]

Kind of surprised that body temperature sensing hasn’t been added to Apple’s ear buds. It seems like a natural thing to add for health tracking and for collecting information for the NSA, FBI and CIA. Too, why not implement embedded lie detectors and trackers that we could force politicians and the press to wear as a condition of their employment?

 

[Luke MacWalker]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

They could be used to check head steadiness, which can probably be used to detect drowsiness, and maybe some neurological diseases.
Also, very recently, Japanese researchers built a prototype of a device that can measure the level of alcohol in blood from the ear and achieved the same precision as the breath analyzers.
In-ear sensors can also measure body temperature, heart rate and probably much more of which I’m not aware…

 

[fwmireault]

They could be used to check head steadiness, which can probably be used to detect drowsiness, and maybe some neurological diseases.
Also, very recently, Japanese researchers built a prototype of a device that can measure the level of alcohol in blood from the ear and achieved the same precision as the breath analyzers.
In-ear sensors can also measure body temperature, heart rate and probably much more of which I’m not aware…

Easy. Body temperature measurements (ie fever). I’m really excited for this! Can’t wait for them to implement it.

Yeah I’m not doubting the ability for Apple to add these sensors and the extra measurement that they could achieve. I just find these health feature somewhat limited considered the autonomy and normal usage of AirPods (vs AW). If I can collect these data only 2-3 hours a day, is this data useful?

that said, I understand that all health data can’t be precisely collected if only on a wrist. I just don’t think that AirPods are the appropriate devices to do this extra measurement, considering usage and battery life.

 

[npmacuser5]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

As noted balance. Temperature. Hearing loss. Memory loss. A few that come to mind using hearing.

 

[dogslobber]

I don't want Apple headphones to spy on me. Stop with this already.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Very curious what would be the purpose of these sensors with the actual autonomy of AirPods. I wear my Apple Watch all day long, but I use my AirPods only a few hours a day. Not useful for health tracking in my sense

n measure some other metric other than what a watch can do, otherwise the battery in the airpods does not last long, nor do you wear the airpods (or any other earphone or headphone) unless you're listening to audio content or talking on the ph

Initially I also thought what would be the point?
Jabra had a bluetooth headphones (wired between ears discontinued now) and still has the Jabra Elite Sport each having a heart rate sensor - because earlobes is THE most accurate place to take pulse (too faint for fingers though), and temperature (think fevers). I doubt Apple will go this route though.

 

[DevNull0]

I want my earphones to have good audio quality, good battery life, and be small/lightweight/comfortable in that order. Adding sensors would only add weight, subtract battery life, and take up room better used by sound making parts.

I only wear the headphones when listening to music, and I could not care less about monitoring my temperature, balance, etc when listening to music.

Now, if Apple wants to update the airpod pros with better sound-related features, I'm all for it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't want Apple headphones to spy on me. Stop with this already.

The article didn't even come close to saying anything of meaning per the headline. It is simply more clickbait reporting by MR.

You have to make a lot of future assumptions to get to where you are.

 

[_Spinn_]

This sounds cool. Temperature would be a lot more accurate from AirPods than a watch.

 

[rpmurray]

AirPod: "Joe, you are about to have a heart attack in 13 minutes."

 

[happydude]

anything to can keep health data coming is great. as others have noted, temp, balance, heart rate, etc. multiple devices tracking can increase accuracy too, but wonder how they'd combine data between the watch and AirPods if people are wearing both.

 

[boswald]

Earwax buildup warnings on your mobile devices.

Sadly, I’d love to have this.

 

[Rainshadow]

Everyone noting temperature, balance, and alcohol content…

How about hearing? Regular, consistent hearing exams can help keep you informed about the impact of being in loud environments. Most people check their hearing never or 3+ years. If you could do a quick hearing test and get immediate results against the average age etc etc, it could be something employees could use to change employment conditions in factories because of the temporal association with the noted hearing loss.

Not saying temperature wouldn’t be important, but the lowest hanging fruit would be hearing exams…

 

[yvonnemo]

Sound quality / NC should always be the primary focus for AirPods, that's their primary function. Any other secondary function should not be primarily focused or else would make ppl think they're running out of ideas.

 

[adamus]

more health. Forget MacDrive as a location.

 

[5aeid]

This already exists and is nothing new. The health aspect of AirPods is Noise Level and Headphone Audio Levels.

You can "live" monitor your volume levels in Control Center by adding "Hearing" to your control centre. When you have music or audio playing through your connected headphones (ie. AirPods) it shows you how safe your volume is for your overall hearing. And this data is there sent to your Health App, which shows you your overall progress.

👂🏼🔉💪🏼

Another tip:
Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety, and Turn On "Reduce Loud Sounds" and set to your desired level. Your ears will thank you and me 😏 in the future.

Ps. MacRumors should maybe post an article or video highlighting these Ear/Hearing Saving tips (and giving me a shout out 😂)