Apple’s Health Technologies team is on the lookout for engineers with particular skills in “analog electronics, preferably mechatronic systems utilizing actuators, temperature sensors, strain gauges, and photodiodes.”
The candidate’s role will encompass the design, building, testing, and troubleshooting of early prototype health hardware. It’s believed that this initiative ties directly to the Apple Watch’s biomechanics research and development.
Strain Gauges: Understanding the Potential
While the Apple Watch already boasts components such as an actuator, temperature sensor, and photodiodes, it’s currently devoid of a strain gauge. What is a strain gauge? It’s a device that measures alterations in electrical resistance when force is applied, often employed in motion-tracking and physiological monitoring systems.
Researchers have proved how a solitary, non-intrusive strain sensor placed on the wrist can precisely gauge the entire spectrum of strains on human skin, even extending to blood pressure monitoring – an exciting prospect for upcoming Apple Watch versions.
The Current Limitations in Strength Training Metrics
At present, the Apple Watch’s capability in relation to the tracking of strength training is confined to monitoring active calories, time, and heart rate. While these metrics prove beneficial for aerobic activities like running or cycling, their relevance dwindles in strength training contexts. Why? Because heart rate doesn’t always align with the exertion and load during such workouts.
Strain gauges promise a solution. They hold the potential to assess the specific influence of diverse strength training drills. What’s more, the present Workout app lacks any function to record weights, reps, and sets to evaluate muscular loads – a gap that Apple seems poised to bridge.
