Polar is not as huge a reputation in fitness watches as rivals like Garmin, however it believes it has a solution to lengthen its footprint: license its expertise to these rivals. The corporate is now making 25 health algorithms obtainable to some corporations. “Powered by Polar” watches can use the model’s exercise, well being and sleep monitoring know-how together with their very own {hardware} and providers. Third events will not should pour years of analysis into their merchandise simply to get began, Polar claims.
The primary watch to make use of Polar’s framework is Casio’s new G-Shock G-Squad GBD-H2000. There aren’t many official particulars at tis stage, however the sequel to the GBD-H1000 is expected to function a equally chunky design whereas including Polar’s health science and a gyroscope. It ought to nonetheless embody solar-assisted charging, GPS and a bunch of sensors that embody an altimeter, barometer, compass and thermometer.
Polar is not an entire stranger to providing health tech to enterprise clients, akin to on-line monitoring instruments. It has options for coaches, health lessons, colleges and groups. Nevertheless, that is the primary time it is offering tech on to the competitors. In idea, this brings superior health monitoring to a wider vary of gadgets, and would possibly let watchmakers think about health merchandise that merely weren’t choices prior to now.
To some extent, although, that is an acknowledgment that Polar’s in-house watches aren’t the strongest sellers. The agency describes itself as a “prime 10 participant” in wearables, however that also leaves it trailing the heavyweights. Garmin was the one fitness-first watch model whose shipments cracked the highest 5 within the second quarter of 2022, in line with Canalys estimates, and it had 5.5 p.c of the market. Algorithm licensing might assist Polar enhance its income and affect no matter how its machine gross sales fare.
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