CES 2018: Omron's latest smartwatch can monitor live blood pressure

If you evaluate the features of a full-blown fitness tracker today, you will notice that they are limited to tracking steps, calories and monitoring heart rate. None of them has been able to address the parameter that matters the most to those who can actually afford one — blood pressure. However, Omron — responsible for making medical-grade blood pressure monitors have addressed the elephant in the room with their new HeartGuide smartwatch — a wearable that can actively track your blood pressure.

Unveiled at CES 2018, the HeartGuide smartwatch looks like any other conventional smartwatch. However, it differs completely on the inside as it is one of the first ones with the ability to measure blood pressure. The watch’s extra-stiff band inflates to take an oscillometric measurement, similar to the cuffs that doctors use to gauge blood pressure. It also takes heart rate measurements, following which it syncs the data with the Omron app and is available to your doctor for further inspection.

The HeartGuide can also track blood pressure while you are asleep along with steps and calories. Since it’s a smartwatch, it can also display notifications from your smartphone, although it hasn’t been mentioned which OS it is going to use. For those concerned with the battery life, Omron is claiming an average stamina between 10 days to two weeks, which is pretty good for a wearable with a display.

The HeartGuide is currently undergoing testing with the FDA and will be priced equivalent to an Apple Watch Series 3, when launched.