Deepinder Goyal Says Temple Is Not Made For India, Targets Global Market

Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal has responded strongly to the growing criticism surrounding Temple, his first major venture into the health-tech space. The wearable device has attracted attention online, particularly from medical professionals questioning its scientific claims, pricing and actual usefulness.

Addressing the criticism in a lengthy post on X, Goyal made it clear that despite being developed by an Indian startup, Temple is primarily intended for international consumers. "Temple is not made for India. It’s made for the world," he said.

Goyal also indicated that the company does not expect significant sales from the Indian market, estimating that fewer than 1 per cent of customers could come from the country. The device is priced at Rs 85,000 and is currently available for pre-orders, with deliveries expected to begin sometime in 2027.

Responding to concerns about its expensive price tag, Goyal defended the company's decision, saying considerable effort had gone into developing the product. He maintained that the pricing reflects what the company believes the device is worth and suggested that potential buyers wait for customer reviews before making a purchase.

He also took a direct dig at those supporting the product simply because it comes from an Indian company. "Please do not support us because we are an Indian startup. We want to compete globally. We don’t need/want nationalist support."

Goyal clarifies Temple's purpose and features

Amid questions about the device's health-related claims, Goyal clarified that Temple is "strictly a fitness + AI device" and not a medical product. He emphasised that it has not been proven to diagnose or prevent diseases and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical advice or doctor consultations.

He also addressed concerns about the lack of scientific validation, suggesting that interested buyers could wait for independent research before forming an opinion. "You are free to sit on the fence until peer reviewed proof arrives. You are free to not believe it even then," he wrote.

Goyal further revealed that Entropy, rather than BrainFlow, is the main focus of Temple. While BrainFlow has received considerable attention in online discussions and promotional material, he described Entropy as the device's central feature. He also introduced the term Roomdeaf AI, positioning Temple as an AI companion designed with privacy in mind.

Why Temple is facing criticism

Temple is a compact wearable that attaches to the side of the head. According to the company, its optical sensors track physiological signals linked to blood flow in the brain. Its BrainFlow feature is intended to monitor changes in cerebral blood flow, while details about Entropy remain limited.

However, medical experts have questioned whether the technology can deliver what the company suggests. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist popularly known as The Liver Doc on X, has been among the prominent critics.

He has raised questions about whether sensors positioned near the temple can accurately measure blood flow inside the brain. Concerns have also been raised about the research methodology and the absence of peer-reviewed studies supporting the device's claims.

With pre-orders underway and deliveries expected in 2027, Temple's reception will likely depend on how convincingly the company can demonstrate its technology and address questions surrounding its scientific credibility.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kahekashan

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Kahekashan is a passionate technophile with a keen eye for cutting-edge gadgets, emerging technologies, and everything in the digital realm. Raised in a Defence family with strong values and a background in literature, she has consistently pursued excellence in every endeavour. Her last full-time assignment involved content writing with the Indian School of Business.

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