World’s First Wifi Sync Feature for Garmin Wearables
Nov 24, 2024
Fitrockr releases world’s first Wifi sync feature for Garmin wearables.
It took several months from idea to feature but we are thrilled to see it come to life. We have just returned from a trip to Garmin Headquarters, Kansas City, USA and we have brought an exciting new functionality that will transform data collection processes in research and healthcare setups.
We are introducing a revolutionary software feature that allows us to sync Garmin wearables seamlessly via Wifi. This marks a significant leap in data collection setups, eliminating the need for physical connections or reliance solely on Bluetooth for data transfer. The innovation not only enhances user convenience but also allows new data collection workflows.
How Wifi Sync Works
The newly released Wifi sync feature enables Garmin wearables to connect directly to a user’s home or hospital Wifi network. Once connected, the wearable can automatically upload its health logging data such as accelerometer, gyroscope, BBI, stress, skin temperature and many more directly to the Fitrockr Cloud at a set interval – for instance every 60 minutes.
Why It Matters
The introduction of Wifi sync is a game-changer for several reasons:
Enhanced Convenience: Users no longer need to keep their smartphones nearby for syncing. As long as the wearable is within a Wifi zone, it can upload data autonomously.
Speed and Reliability: Wifi connections are typically faster and more robust than Bluetooth. This means quicker uploads, which is especially beneficial for users tracking large datasets, such as raw data logging or multi-day/week data.
Data Types Collection: specific data types such as accelerometer, gyroscope and BBI have put a huge burden on Bluetooth sync, making it nearly impossible or highly cumbersome to collect these data types. This is no problem anymore with the bandwidth of Wifi sync.
Data Collection Scenarios: the new sync method can allow to sync data without a smartphone. Once the Garmin device is configured with the Fitrockr platform, it can autonomously sync data via Wifi without the need to use a smartphone. This enables new scenarios where patients can more easily sync while being at a hospital or elderly in assisted living communities.
The Technology Behind It
Wifi can be added in the settings section of the Fitrockr app. The system supports multiple network configurations, ensuring accessibility across various environments.The settings get transferred to the Garmin device at the next Bluetooth sync. Once set up, the Garmin device will autonomously sync via the Wifi in preconfigured intervals (e.g. every 60 minutes). Data will be sent directly to Fitrockr servers ensuring GDPR rules and data processing agreements.
Restrictions
Wifi sync is only available for compatible Garmin device models. As of today, compatible models are:
Enduro 2, Epix 2, Fenix 7, Fenix 8, Forerunner 165 Music Edition, Forerunner 255 Music Edition, Forerunner 265, Forerunner 965, Tactix 7, Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5.
Wifi sync currently only supports “logging data”. This includes Raw BBI, Enhanced BBI, Heart Rate, Stress, Steps, Pulse Oxygen (Sp02), Respiration, Skin Temperature, Zero Crossing, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Actigraphy. “Standard data”, such as Sleep and Activity Data, is not yet supported and needs to be synced via Bluetooth which is no problem as these are low volume data types. Wifi support for these data types will be provided at a later stage.
Wifi sync is currently only available for the new “Fitrockr Sync” Android app. Wifi sync for Fitrockr iOS app will be released in Q1’2025.
If you are using the “Fitrockr Hub” Android app in your project and you are interested to migrate to the new “Fitrockr Sync” Android app, read the Fitrockr Sync App Migration Guide.
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