How Nordic Semiconductor uses Bluetooth® technology to help build a healthier world

Specializing in Bluetooth® LE, cellular IoT (LTE-M/NB-IoT), Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, and Matter-supported devices, in addition to a range of power-management solutions, Nordic Semiconductor serves a diverse customer market, from consumer electronics and industrial automation to healthcare, wearables, and asset tracking.

Recently, I had a chance to meet with Thomas Soederholm, VP of business development for Nordic Semiconductor, to talk about how Nordic is leveraging Bluetooth® connectivity to deliver a wide range of devices that better support personal health monitoring, improve patient safety, and enhance operational efficiency for hospitals and clinics.

Q&A with Thomas Soederholm from Nordic Semiconductor

How has Bluetooth® technology changed the way we approach healthcare and wellness over the past decade?

Bluetooth connectivity has simplified how people gather, connect, and transmit health data to the cloud. And, as a result, we’ve seen a lot of innovation in the healthcare space, fueling massive adoption in everything from sports and wellness to medical and healthcare devices. It’s now easier to monitor your own health, share your health data with loved ones and healthcare providers, and monitor patients outside of a clinical environment.

Bluetooth is helping to transition telehealth to the next level and enabling the next generation of aging independently solutions — whether it comes to glucose monitoring, medication adherence, fall detection, hearing aids, or accessibility solutions.

How does Bluetooth connectivity help Nordic enable new possibilities in areas like remote patient monitoring or connected care?

Bluetooth® technology enables us to focus on solutions that give something back to the world we live in, whether through better health outcomes or minimizing environmental impact. Its low-power design and ability to operate in a small physical footprint make it ideal for connected care devices, helping reduce energy use and environmental footprint.

Bluetooth technology also makes it possible to deliver a complete solution that includes hardware, embedded software, and lifecycle cloud services, ensuring system-level performance from device to cloud over the lifetime of the product. With edge computing and AI/ML capabilities on-chip, data can stay on the device rather than being sent over the air. This approach improves security and saves power because less data is transmitted, creating smarter, more sustainable healthcare solutions.

Can you share an example where Bluetooth powered devices are improving patient safety?

Real-time location systems (RTLS) with fall detection (systems that can be used in a healthcare facility, an elderly home, at home, etc.), where a Bluetooth enabled wearable/tag communicates with Bluetooth beacons/gateways, can help pinpoint the whereabouts of the patients, generate geofencing alerts, give out fall detection alarms, help reduce response time for healthcare personal, and eventually enable a higher standard of care.

What innovations in Bluetooth enabled personal health monitoring will have the biggest impact in the next few years?

I think the most important shift we need to see in health monitoring is a move from curative to preventive healthcare. We need to put more effort into cost-effective solutions that encourage a healthier lifestyle and ensure a better foundation for health outcomes. As such, I believe that Bluetooth enabled wearables in the form of watches, armbands, rings, and glasses will have a large impact. Wearables that can measure your health and activity metrics and transmit that data to your phone via a Bluetooth connection can help encourage you to lead a healthier lifestyle.

How are Bluetooth devices helping people take more control of their health?

Bluetooth technology allows wearables and sensors to automatically sync health data, such as blood pressure, glucose levels, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, to smartphones or cloud platforms. This eliminates manual logging and ensures real-time visibility into health trends, empowering individuals to take control of their health, make informed decisions, and maintain independence.

How does Bluetooth connectivity support the development of solutions that help monitor and improve the air we breathe in homes, schools, and workplaces?

Bluetooth® technology plays a key role in enabling air-quality monitoring solutions that improve environments in homes, schools, and workplaces. Its low-power design and reliable wireless communication make it possible to deploy sensors and systems widely and in a cost-effective way, while maintaining long operational life.

Because Bluetooth connectivity is optimized for ultra-low power consumption, these solutions can run for extended periods on small batteries, reducing maintenance and making them practical for large-scale use in both public and private spaces. This combination of efficiency and affordability helps ensure that healthier indoor environments are accessible and sustainable.

Nordic Semiconductor’s Bluetooth solutions are widely used in sensors that monitor indoor environmental factors like CO₂, humidity, temperature, and pollutants, helping create healthier spaces. These systems collect and transmit air quality data via Bluetooth technology to smartphones or cloud platforms, enabling real-time monitoring, alerts, and actionable insights for homes, schools, and workplaces — supporting better ventilation, comfort, and overall well-being.

How can Bluetooth enabled solutions support facility managers and organizations build healthier, more efficient environments?

Bluetooth enabled solutions are helping facility managers and organizations create healthier, more efficient environments by enabling smart, connected infrastructure. Environmental sensors can use Bluetooth technology to track CO₂ levels, humidity, temperature, and pollutants, allowing real-time monitoring and automated adjustments to ventilation and climate systems. Bluetooth Mesh Networking supports energy-efficient lighting and HVAC control, adapting to occupancy and usage patterns.

Additionally, Bluetooth beacons and tags help optimize space utilization and cleaning schedules, while centralized dashboards provide actionable insights for better decision making. Together, these technologies enhance indoor air quality, reduce energy costs, and improve occupant well-being.

Where does Nordic see the biggest opportunities for Bluetooth to support healthier lives and preventative care?

The biggest opportunities in preventive healthcare are in disease monitoring, medication adherence, and drug delivery as well as general health monitoring — solutions that help individuals lead healthier lives and manage chronic diseases in a non-intrusive, hassle-free way. To enable this, device manufacturers need technology that is tailored towards small wearables, something you put on and forget; technology that can sense, process, and transport health data in a secure and private way.

What role do you believe Nordic and the broader Bluetooth community play in building a healthier, more connected world?

Bluetooth, as a technology standard, is enabling Nordic to deliver comprehensive connectivity solutions for next-generation wearables and healthcare applications. Together, we are setting the standard for user expectations and helping to drive better healthcare outcomes for all.