Temple is launching soon, Deepinder Goyal says it has sensor same as Apple Watch

Deepinder Goyal’s Temple is getting closer to launch, with the Zomato founder sharing more details about the wearable and what it could eventually be used for. Goyal has said that pre-orders for Temple are set to open soon, with people on the early-access waitlist getting priority.

Temple is a small wearable designed to sit around the temple area of the head. While some of the discussion around the device has focused on brain-related measurements, Goyal has now clarified that its sensor is similar to the technology already used in popular smartwatches.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryTemple uses a PPG sensor like Apple Watch: Why?Responding to a question about whether Temple would have an age restriction because of its ability to monitor brain signals, Goyal said the device uses a PPG sensor, the same basic type of sensor found in the Apple Watch and other wearables.

“We use a PPG sensor. Same as Apple Watch, and other wearables. Nothing in there which can hurt a developing brain,” Goyal said. He added that he does not see much reason for anyone under 18 to use Temple, unless they are training for something such as the Olympics. Temple uses the same sensor as the Apple Watch and other wearables, Deepinder Goyal confirms.

PPG, or photoplethysmography, uses light to detect changes in blood volume and is widely used in wearable devices to track metrics such as heart rate. Temple's own BrainFlow system is being presented as a way to track changes in blood flow associated with the brain.

Goyal recently shared details of a second validation study in which Temple BrainFlow was tested against time-domain NIRS, a technology that can distinguish changes in blood volume in the brain from those in the scalp. According to Goyal, the study involved 60 participants and found correlations of 0.84 to 0.91 with brain blood volume across three physiological tests.

The company says the study is currently available as a preprint and has been submitted for peer review. More independent validation will be important to establish how accurately Temple can measure these signals and what users can reasonably conclude from them.

Goyal has also spoken about possible links between blood supply to the brain and functions such as sleep, hormone regulation, immunity and recovery. However, the extent to which Temple can measure these functions, and whether its readings can be used to make conclusions about them, still needs further scientific evidence.

The device could also have applications beyond personal health tracking. When one X user suggested using Temple to monitor restaurant managers or chefs during stressful shifts, Goyal said he would like to see it used with pilots.

“I would certainly have it on pilots to check if they are fit to fly. And on the air force to check who is the fittest to fly a mission today,” he said.Goyal says Temple will work with every skin type Goyal reveals more details about Temple.

Temple is also designed to work alongside glasses. Goyal says the device is slim enough to sit underneath them. Its grips need to be applied to completely clean skin, while skincare products such as moisturiser and sunscreen can be applied over Temple. The company recommends replacing the grips every two to three days, particularly for people exposed to dust and sweat.

Goyal has also hinted at more ambitious versions of the device. In response to a question about using Temple to detect a person's intent and control apps on a phone, he said the company has a research team working on converting thoughts to text. However, that capability is still several years away and may arrive only with the third or fourth generation of Temple.Temple price in India (rumoured)

If leaks and rumours are to be believed, the price of Temple could be a little closer to Rs 1 lakh. We will likely get clarity on the same in the coming weeks or months when it launches. The release shouldn't be that far because Goyal recently announced that the Temple device will be available for pre-order soon.- Ends

Ankita Garg is a tech journalist with more than 9 years of experience. She is always curious about new gadgets and loves writing about them. When not writing, you will find her painting or sketching.