AirPods Can Enable ‘Position Detection’ For Better Results With Apple Fitness+, Patent Proposal

Future AirPods could have ‘posture detection’ functionality to work in conjunction with the Apple Fitness+ service and help support users in their fitness journeys, a patent application filed with the Office of as indicated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Cupertino company already has an Apple Watch to enable fitness tracking on the go. However, the iPhone maker seems to have moved beyond the Apple Watch and finally used the AirPods to boost Fitness+ and make it more viable for fitness enthusiasts.

Equal spot by Apple Insider, patent application suggest that Apple is preparing its new one AirPods with built-in technology to track user movements.

“Ear capture may have sensors to collect directional information, such as accelerometer measurements as the user moves,” the app’s summary reads. “A host electronic device that can communicate wirelessly with the earplug and can form part of an earplug system provides the user with training and feedback while assessing the user’s performance on the earplug. with a head movement or other exercise routine.”

AirPods need to record precise measurements to understand movements as a virtual coach is guiding the user through the process. For this, the patent shows that the headset “can collect accelerometer data in the first frame of reference” and “can use the rotation matrix to rotate the data in the first frame of reference.” a second reference, such as a neutral reference with a fixed orientation to the earth”.

“Data in a neutral frame of reference can be analyzed using a head posture lookup table to classify measured user head positions relative to the corresponding user head posture,” simple Patent registration note.

Once the data is collected and processed, users receive audio feedback on the headset to help them improve their movements and posture during exercise.

Apple filed its latest patent application with the USPTO on October 29, 2021, and it was announced by the trademark office on February 17, 2022. There are also several other related applications. to ongoing development since early March 2017.

Rumors suggest the presence of physical activity tracking on AirPods originally emerged back in 2014. A report by The Wall Street Journal last year indicated that the health-focused features, which could include posture tracking as well as body temperature measurement and improved hearing, were not expected by this year.

However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in May suggest that AirPods Pro 2 could launch with updated motion sensor fitness tracking in 2022.

Apple introduce Fitness+ is a subscription-based offering to access virtually every fitness activity last year. Initial experience is limited to Apple Watchthough AirPods are likely to be the next hardware segment to drive revenue from services.

The exact details of whether Apple will consider bringing a commercial version of the fitness-focused AirPods are yet to be confirmed.