Deepinder Goyal defends Temple wearable amid medical skepticism

Temple founder Deepinder Goyal has defended his company’s wearable device following public criticism from medical experts. The controversy centers on the device’s claim to measure cerebral blood flow via a sensor placed on the temple, a function that several doctors have labeled as scientifically unsubstantiated. Goyal stated that the company has invested $30 million into research and development, asserting that his personal stake and the long-term nature of the project align his incentives with scientific rigor.

Medical experts have raised significant concerns regarding the lack of peer-reviewed data supporting the technology. Critics pointed out that the studies cited by the company were internally funded and conducted, while others argued that the biological mechanism described does not accurately reflect how blood flows to the brain. In response, Goyal clarified that Temple is marketed as a fitness and wellness device, not a medical instrument, and admitted that it has not undergone clinical validation.

Pre-orders for the device, priced at ₹85,000, began in November, with shipping expected to commence in early 2027. Goyal noted that the company plans to release pre-prints of its findings ahead of formal peer reviews and anticipates that external independent studies will eventually provide further validation for the technology.