Wearables

u-blox and TransSiP are announcing the PowerWatch 2, according to the companies it will be the world’s first GPS smartwatch that you never need to recharge. The smartwatch features the ultra-small, ultra-low power u‑blox ZOE-M8B GNSS receiver to track position, in addition to calories burned, activity level, and sleep, making it a suitable companion for runners, hikers, and swimmers. 

Designers of always-on wearable and Internet of Things (IoT) devices now have an easier way to extend battery runtime while shrinking form factor with the latest tiny, highly integrated power-management IC (PMIC) from Maxim Integrated Products. The ultra-low-power MAX20345 integrates a lithium charger and debuts a unique architecture that optimises the sensitivity of optical measurements for wearable fitness and health applications.

The market for wearable technology is entering a new phase. There has been a marked increase in popularity over the last few years, and the sector is growing at a rapid rate. As a result, forecasts from industry insiders and analysts predict that the market will be worth an estimated £34bn by 2020. Tom Gregory, Product Manager at 6SigmaET, explains further.

Provider of UC sound solutions, Jabra, has launched the Evolve 65t; true wireless earbuds specifically engineered for the mobile professional. The new edition to the Evolve range of professional headsets marks an engineering milestone for Jabra, with true wireless earbuds to attain Skype for Business certification.

Clothing embedded with tiny solar cells the size of a flea can allow wearers to generate electricity on the move and charge items like mobile phones and smartwatches.

It has never been easier to integrate secured payment functionality into fashion accessories: Infineon Technologies now provides EMV-based payment solutions for key chains, rings, wristbands or bracelets. The new SECORA Pay W for Smart Payment Accessories (SPA) combines an EMV chip with the card operating system, payment applet as well as the antenna directly on tape. 

Licensor of signal processing platforms and artificial intelligence processors for smarter, connected devices, CEVA has announced that Sonova Holding, the provider of hearing solutions, has licensed and deployed CEVA’s RivieraWaves Bluetooth IP in its latest SWORD 3.0 wireless chip for hearing aids and other smart hearing devices.

At the electronica trade fair, Cypress Semiconductor introduced a nonvolatile data-logging solution with ultra-low power consumption. This solution is ideal for the latest-generation portable medical and wearable devices and other IoT applications that demand nonvolatile memories to continuously log an increasing amount of user and sensor data while using as little power as possible. 

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has supported an entrepreneur’s vision to help runners find the most appropriate type of footwear.

At electronica Munich, Hall C3, Booth 522; Bosch Sensortec will introduce the BHI160BP, a Position Tracking Smart Sensor that utilises integrated inertial sensors to improve GPS location tracking. The ultra-low power position tracking reduces system power consumption by up to 80% and aims to provide more reliable localisation than GPS-only solutions.