Launched on Indiegogo in recent weeks, it was officially presented at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. How the human heat smartwatch works
From the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo to CES 2019 in Las Vegas: this is the path taken by California-based Matrix and its human heat-powered smartwatches. In particular, the PowerWatch 2, a smartwatch that recharges with the heat of the wrist and integrates support for Google Fit.
In this way, the smartwatch sends to the Google platform dedicated to health data such as heart rate, body temperature, sleep quality, the location detected with the integrated GPS, calories consumed and steps taken each day. All this without any connection cable for charging: the Matrix PowerWatch 2 is charged exclusively through the heat produced by our body, transformed into electricity by a small thermoelectric generator integrated into the watch case. A little more power is also produced by a small amorphous silicon photovoltaic cell positioned under the screen.
Features Matrix PowerWatch 2
The smartwatch weighs just 70 grams (thanks to the use of aeronautical aluminum) and has a diameter of 47 millimeters, as much as a Garmin Fenix 5X and slightly less than a Suunto Ambit3 Peak, two of its direct competitors, but is thinner with its 16 millimeters thick. Thanks to the complete absence of connectors, such as the one for charging, this smartwatch is much more waterproof than its competitors: the PowerWatch 2 resists water up to a depth of 200 meters.
Google Fit Integration
Integration with Google Fit is complete, but not entirely exploitable on-screen: data collected and sent to Google can be viewed on smartphones, PCs and the watch's 1.2-inch color LCD display, but other Google Fit profile data and related statistics cannot be viewed or managed via the smartphone. Matrix states that this can be done in the future. In the meantime, the device is also compatible with Apple HealthKit, albeit with the same limitations.
Matrix PowerWatch, costs and availability Italy
The PowerWatch 2 is still in the prototype state: its development was funded through Indiegogo, where Matrix raised over $750,000 against the $100,000 it needed. The campaign ends in less than a month and at the moment you can reserve this smartphone for the price of $199. At the end of the campaign it will be sold for $499, a price in line with that of its competitors, if not lower.