Self-learning AI sensor from Bosch
Highly personalized fitness training
December 17, 2020, 1:15 p.m. | Nicole Woerner
Highly personalized fitness training
© Bosch
Edge AI does not require a connection to the cloud: lower latency times, better data protection
Bosch Sensortec launches the world's first self-learning AI sensor for wearables and hearables. This allows users to teach their devices any fitness activities that are individually tailored to them - and that with low power consumption even with automatic tracking.
There are countless fitness exercises - but many fitness trackers or smartwatches can only track a limited number of activities and do not always reliably recognize exercises due to different movement styles, devices, body sizes and performance levels of the users.
To solve the problem, Bosch Sensortec has developed a new type of self-learning motion sensor that gives artificial intelligence (AI) to electronic devices, so-called wearables or hearables: the self-learning AI sensor BHI260AP.
Thanks to self-learning AI software integrated in the sensor, manufacturers of wearables and hearables can offer highly personalized fitness tracking with their devices. The sensor detects and reacts to many different movements and can learn any new fitness activity that is based on regularly repetitive processes. Users can be trainers and exercisers at the same time.
"The self-learning AI sensor will revolutionize the use of fitness equipment - from what is now a very one-sided approach to an interactive type of training," says Dr. Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec.
One software - four functions
The self-learning AI software for the new sensor is available with a standard set of more than fifteen pre-set fitness activities so it can be used right away.
In addition, however, it offers four product functions: learning, personalization, automatic tracking and optimization. In learning mode, each user can add new fitness activities that were not originally supported and thus adapt the device to their individual needs. With the personalization function, users can adapt existing, pre-programmed activities to their own individual style, thus increasing the accuracy of calorie counting and activity analyzes.
With the auto-track function, exercisers can automatically track their fitness activities without manual intervention and analyze their intensity over time based on the type and number of activities - this enables endurance and strength training.
In addition, manufacturers can add new fitness activities without having to modify the software or need access to an original data set. New, transferable exercises can be provided by coaches or top athletes, allowing users to benchmark with the best and learn from experts or acquaintances. These functions increase the additional benefits of wearables and hearables and help device manufacturers differentiate themselves.
Because the AI runs on the sensor itself (edge AI), a connection to a cloud or a smartphone is not even required. The data remains private, activities can be continuously tracked and analyzed without an internet connection. Edge AI also minimizes latency and power consumption, so users get quick feedback in real time and don't have to charge their devices as often.
SiP complete solution with numerous software options
The new sensor will be made available to manufacturers as an integrated system in package (SiP) solution that includes the hardware, software and embedded AI. This reduces development time and costs for wearables manufacturers and shortens the time to market.
In addition to the self-learning AI software, Bosch Sensortec offers a wide range of software solutions for the new sensor BHI260AP. Wearable manufacturers can simply load the necessary software onto the sensor to enable application-specific solutions, including orientation tracking, position tracking (PDR) and swimming. The sensor recognizes four different swimming styles: butterfly, back, breaststroke and freestyle.
Since the BHI260AP is a fully programmable sensor, manufacturers can integrate their own custom software into the BHI260AP, or upload custom solutions depending on the context of the user. To protect customer-specific solutions from unauthorized use, the intelligent programmable sensor offers a digital signature.
To make the development of AI-based wearables solutions even easier, Bosch Sensortec offers an application board together with a BHI260AP shuttleboard that can be wirelessly connected to smartphones via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
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