Researchers develop AI-powered wearable to monitor blood pressure around the clock
Researchers develop AI-powered wearable to monitor blood pressure around the clock
Publish Date: 2026-03-13 08:00:00
Source Domain: college.unc.edu
EDITOR’S NOTE: As we wrap up our showcase of the College’s cutting-edge AI innovators, we reshare this story from November 25, 2025.
A recent study led by Wubin Bai, an applied physical sciences professor, tested a small, noninvasive device that uses light-based sensors and artificial intelligence to track blood pressure continuously and accurately.
Published in the IEEE Journal on Flexible Electronics, the study, co-authored by Tien Nguyen, who was a research associate in the Bai lab, tested a small, noninvasive device that uses light-based sensors and artificial intelligence to track blood pressure continuously and accurately.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the biggest health threats worldwide. It quietly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems, often without showing obvious symptoms. Doctors stress the importance of keeping blood pressure under control, but there’s a catch: today’s tools for measuring it have serious limits.
Most people get their blood pressure checked only once in a while at the doctor’s office or with a cuff at home. Those snapshots can miss important changes that happen throughout the day or even while people sleep. Continuous monitoring, the kind that could reveal hidden patterns and provide early warnings, usually requires invasive hospital procedures that aren’t practical for everyday life.
A recent study led by Wubin Bai, an assistant professor in the department of applied physical sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill, offers a promising solution. Published in the IEEE Journal on Flexible Electronics, the study tested a small, noninvasive device that uses light-based sensors and artificial intelligence to track blood pressure continuously and accurately.
“Our goal was to design something that’s not only precise but also wearable in daily life,” said Professor Bai. “If we can monitor blood pressure the way we track steps on a fitness watch, we could transform how we detect…
