Sunday, October 20, 2024, 09:06
Technological devices to monitor health have been moving along the arm of the Spaniards. First came the bracelets, then they tied tightly to the wrists with smart watches, and now they extend towards the fingers in a ring shape. “The latter are somewhat more comfortable and their presence is not as noticeable,” highlights David Alonso, director of Samsung Spain’s mobility business.
The purpose of these gadgets is to monitor and take care of the health of their wearer; they fulfill the same functions as the famous smart bands, but in these cases the technology has gone a little further. The latest to land in this segment of health measured with a ring has been the South Korean Samsung.
Last summer, the Asian technology company launched its Galaxy Ring on the European market and just a few weeks ago it arrived in Spanish stores. “The launch was very good and that is why it was decided to also include Spain,” adds Alonso. “Sales are going very well,” he highlights.
“It’s the only technological gadget that I would take to bed,” says one user. Unlike smart bands and smartwatches, this device is designed “to know when your body needs a break,” says Alonso. “In addition,” he says, “it helps you find the right balance between activity and rest.”
The South Korean’s ring monitors distance traveled, calories burned, heartbeat, body temperature and sleep quality. “It allows us to parameterize many constants thanks to its continuous contact with the skin,” he highlights.
The Galaxy Ring has three sensors that the firm recommends placing at the bottom of the finger, although the design also marks it with a small line on the outside of the ring, which is on the inside of the palm of the hand, so does not attract attention. To record data, the sensors have lights that turn on intermittently. Small beams of light that, at night, ensure that the user does not go unnoticed.
The South Korean engineers have developed a metric called energy score that allows the data to be controlled and interpreted. “These are the first stages of artificial intelligence,” advances the director of Samsung Spain’s mobility business. Although he clarifies that “this data will never replace the diagnosis of a professional.”
The data from its measurements, which qualifies each of the phases of sleep and movement during sleep, are detailed, but in some cases it still raises doubts. “As time goes by, he will learn and perfect his work,” says Alonso.
In the tests carried out by this newspaper, the blood oxygen data have sometimes been somewhat imprecise. According to medical literature, oxygen saturation ranges between 95% and 100%. A level below 90% usually requires healthcare attention. At some points during the night, the records reached 82%. “Blood oxygen monitoring is only intended to monitor your physical fitness and well-being, and not for the diagnosis or treatment of any disease,” recalls the South Korean technology company in the visualization of the information.
Part of an ecosystem
It doesn’t have a screen, it doesn’t vibrate, it doesn’t sound. After all, it is a ring and to exploit all the performance it has, it is necessary to associate it with a smartphone. And here, iPhone users can’t do anything. The Galaxy Ring is only compatible with phones with Android 11.0 or higher and a minimum memory of 1.5 GB. Additionally, there are some features that are only available for certain Samsung devices. “It is part of an ecosystem that has come to improve our lives,” responds David Alonso.
The integration of artificial intelligence into its products is one of the lines of business that it has adopted in recent years and little by little they are reaching its devices. At their headquarters they have been working and experimenting with AI functionalities for years. In fact, the company works with its own language models such as Gauss. “We have made a large investment in infrastructure and development of a great language model,” said Daehyun Kim, director of the Global AI Center at Samsung Research, in an exclusive meeting with international media where this newspaper participated. Now you can see this tool on your latest mobile phones.
Despite its size, the user can choose the one that best suits with a test box, the battery lasts up to seven days of autonomy without charge. Although it remains to be seen if its autonomy deteriorates in the future, since it is not possible to change only the battery. The same thing happens if it gets scratched or damaged: it is not possible to change just the outside of the ring. As Samsung indicates, “you cannot replace the components of the Galaxy Ring.”