The Apple Watch is filled with a whole host of different sensors to make tracking your health and fitness easier, and this patent hints at another that could come to future generations.
Back in 2021, a patent revealed Apple’s plans to add a hydration measurement to the Apple Watch, which could “measure levels of electrolytes in perspiration.” Adding hydration measurement would be an incredible health feature on Apple Watch, allowing users to know how dehydrated or hydrated they are during exercise.
Now, nearly three years later, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published a new patent application from Apple detailing a whole new hydration sensor system.
Initially reported by PatentlyApple, the patent covers “systems, devices, and methods for calculating a perspiration metric of a user.”
The patent reads, “In some embodiments, a device may include a perspiration sensor having first and second electrodes positioned on a skin-facing exterior surface of the device. Capacitance circuitry may measure a capacitance between the electrodes, which may be used to calculate the perspiration metric. In some embodiments, the device defines a cavity such that one or both of the electrodes extend at least partially into the cavity.
Other embodiments include a second perspiration sensor, and measurements from the second perspiration sensor may be used in calculating the perspiration metric.”
More sensors for the Apple Watch
In other words, the Apple Watch could activate when it detects sweat and track your hydration levels during exercise. The Apple Watch is already the number one health and fitness wearable in the world, but if we were to see hydration sensors implemented, it would take the Watch to a whole new level.
The Apple Watch has been in the media a lot recently concerning the blood oxygen sensor that has now been banned for the time being in the U.S. following Apple’s legal battle with health technology company, Masimo. That said, the best Apple Watches are still fantastic products, and we hope to see blood oxygen return to the U.S. sooner rather than later.
