AirPods headphones will be used in the future not only for listening to music and making calls. According to the latest Apple study, published on May 29, 2025, they can also be used as an intelligent, AI-supported heart rate monitor – reports the Ppe.pl website.
Apple’s latest study tested the capabilities of six AI models, originally designed for sound and speech analysis, on their ability to estimate heart rates from phonocardiograms—recordings of heart sounds. Although the models had not been previously trained on medical data, one of them achieved impressive accuracy: the average error was just 2.73 beats per minute—comparable to professional medical equipment.
New medical sensors?
Apple’s discovery suggests that the built-in microphones in AirPods could enable continuous heart monitoring in the future—in real time and without the need for additional devices. For example, while running or driving to work, the headphones could detect irregularities such as atrial fibrillation. The technology would operate completely passively—the user would not need to take any additional steps.
Not just Apple Watch
While the Apple Watch already offers advanced health features, implementing similar solutions in the AirPods could significantly expand their accessibility—especially since they are used by millions of people every day. Bloomberg called it “Apple’s biggest step toward health yet.”
Bankier.pl
Phonocardiograms, used in the study, record the sounds of a heartbeat, which are then analyzed by AI algorithms to determine heart rate. In the future, the technology could expand to other vital signs.
More than just a gadget for listening to music
While the project is still in its early stages, there is speculation that Apple could announce the new features as early as its upcoming conference. If these predictions are confirmed, AirPods could transform from a popular audio gadget into a personal health monitoring tool.
KW
