Samsung has announced a collaboration with Stanford Medicine to expand the capabilities of its obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) detection feature on Galaxy Watches. The partnership, revealed on Tuesday, seeks to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) not only to identify sleep apnea but also to provide actionable insights for users managing the condition.
FDA-Cleared Feature Expands Globally
The company’s OSA feature has already received de novo classification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a regulatory approval for innovative medical devices without existing equivalents. Samsung confirmed the feature will roll out in 29 markets by late April.
Addressing an Underdiagnosed Health Concern
Sleep apnea affects over 30 million people in the U.S. alone, yet many cases go undiagnosed. This has prompted major tech brands, including Apple and OnePlus, to integrate sleep apnea detection into their smartwatches. Apple’s Series 10 and Ultra 2 models received FDA clearance last year, while OnePlus is pursuing similar approval for its Watch 3.
Expert Insights on Ethical AI in Healthcare
Dr. Robson Capasso, Chief of Sleep Surgery at Stanford Medicine, emphasized the importance of responsible AI use in healthcare: “Ethical, equitable, and evidence-based technology, validated through research, is essential in advancing sleep apnea detection and management.”
The collaboration underscores Samsung’s commitment to AI-driven health innovations, potentially transforming how wearable technology supports chronic condition monitoring.
