PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medal-winning Indian shuttler, was seen playing India’s Uber Cup tie against Denmark wearing a device called 'Temple' - a tiny blue-grey dot placed near her right eye - on April 24. Sindhu defeated Line Christophersen 21-13, 18-21, 21-17 to put India 1-0 up in the tie. However, the team could not sustain the momentum and lost the tie 2-3. But it was Sindhu’s use of the device that caught attention.
This was the first time that Sindhu was seen playing a match wearing the 'Temple', even though she had already been using it in training for the past few weeks.
Also Read:Uber Cup 2026: Can Young India, Led by PV Sindhu, Defy the Odds in Denmark?
The ‘Temple’ is believed to have the potential to open a new frontier for athletes to monitor their health. Unlike widely known wearables such as the Whoop fitness tracker or Catapult sports wearable, the device claims to track blood flow to the brain in real time. Still unavailable in the market, the device is now being experimented with - measuring cognitive action, ageing, and the brain’s workload during both activity and rest. The device can also measure physical strain by gauging heart rate and movement data. Hence, the 'Temple' intends to monitor the circulation of blood to the brain. However, there is yet to be any research and scientific evidence to support these claims.
For Sindhu, the trial is as much about curiosity as it is about preparation, as she has also stepped into entrepreneurship.
The wearable was first seen being worn by Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato, and it has been developed by his team. Feedback from athletes like Sindhu is central to its refinement.
Sindhu’s husband, Venkata Datta Sai, said the device is one technology the shuttler is particularly excited about. “The signal on the Temple is a lot cleaner, and it’s very accurate in tracking the more relevant stuff,” Datta Sai said, putting its accuracy range at 7–8%, compared to other devices currently in use, where it can go up to 20–30 per cent.
The device is about an inch long, operates on Bluetooth, and its battery remains charged for up to 3–4 days. While it may appear bulky at first glance, Datta Sai noted that “you can completely forget it’s on your head.”
Also Read:India at Thomas Cup 2026: A New Core, Old Fire, and a Shot at Redemption
In addition to collecting data on heart rate and other metrics, the device’s distinguishing feature is its ability to track cognitive load. “There’s physical load and cognitive load on the body. Cognitive looks at how hard the brain is working. So even when she’s sleeping and lots of thoughts running are through the mind, we can monitor that,” he said.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
