Chinese launch could have global potential
Huawei has had its blood pressure tracking feature green lit for use in China, which means the feature could arrive on the Huawei Watch D.
In a Weibo post, a Chinese blogger who claims to have knowledge of the Watch D project, posted two renders of the Watch D – and suggested a December 2021 release date.
One of the renders (shown below) shows off the blood pressure feature in detail.
The existence of the Huawei Watch D was revealed in September, when the device was spotted at European regulators. The trademark application listed the Watch D has a medical device, with “medical analysis; heart rate monitoring apparatus; arterial blood pressure measuring apparatus; blood pressure monitors.”
But the Weibo post reveals that the Huawei Watch D has received clearance for the use of its blood pressure feature. It alleges that the company has got sign off from the government for its “State Drug Administration Class II medical device registration certificate,” which would five the feature the green light.
We previously reported that Huawei had got blood pressure monitoring clearance from the Guangdong Provincial Food and Drug Administration for an ‘ECG blood pressure recorder.’
It all means that a new Huawei Watch with blood pressure monitoring could be dropping in China – but there’s a wider context.
The launch of an ECG-based blood pressure sensor, offering cuffless readings, would be big news for the smartwatch space. And if it can work without validation – and that’s a big ‘if’ – it would be a major step forward.
Only Samsung has offered blood pressure monitoring in the consumer space, and that required FDA clearance and validation by a cuff.
If Huawei can prove the technology, we’re sure others won’t be far behind. Given the Huawei relationship with US officials, we’d hold zero hope that the FDA will ever sign off Huawei blood pressure tech.
Europe, on the other hand, is a possibility. But as ever, a rising tide lifts all boats. And the Huawei Watch D could be a significant moment.