IEEE Spectrum — Telecom

Your Watch Will One Day Track Blood Pressure

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin demonstrated a non‑contact method for measuring blood pressure by reflecting near‑field radio waves off the wrist. They built a wearable prototype using a patch antenna, circulator and a custom 2.4 GHz integrated circuit that consumes only 3.4 mW. The technique avoids skin contact and eliminates skin‑tone bias that affect optical and ultrasound approaches. The team plans to add multiple frequencies and integrate the system into a smartwatch within a few years for broader testing and commercialization.