Fitbit wants to help you better understand the nuances of your metrics, like why some exercises seem harder than others. The company can tell you how far you've traveled, how well you've slept, and your stress levels.
AI is a key part of how Google's fitness devices can achieve this, and the company has launched a new program called Fitbit Labs that uses AI to deliver deep health insights and quick information.
The new app will launch in early 2024 for Fitbit users in the US, with Pixel owners getting first access.
“We're talking about helping people connect and learn from disparate health data. I think this is the first step,” said James Park, vice president, general manager and co-founder of Fitbit.
Fitbit Labs will initially focus on providing insights and trends, which may require using generative AI to connect disparate data points.
For example, Fitbit Labs can tell you why you feel more tired than usual after a run today compared to yesterday. Fitbit will answer this question by comparing today's runs with yesterday's over a similar distance and looking for changes in metrics like speed.
The company also took into account factors like whether you've run uphill and your current sleep habits, and created a chart that compares cadence times to answer that question.
Park asked the AI to compare his last round with the previous one because he thought it was more difficult than usual. The AI noted that his pace was 32 seconds slower than usual per mile, and that he ran the distance 32 seconds slower than usual. It was harder than usual, so Park took longer than usual.
The AI then hypothesized that his lack of sleep that week might have been a factor and created a graph to illustrate these points.
“Maybe you already had an idea but weren't sure, and I think this system can give you a better understanding of what's possible based on generative AI to understand why you feel the way you do,” Parker said.
The app is an example of how Google relies heavily on AI to differentiate its products, with tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft refocusing some of their core products to create AI capable of creating content based on generating demand training data.
Fitbit Labs shows how Google is incorporating generative AI into its smartwatches, confirming that AI is reshaping the technology tools and services we rely on every day.
Health monitoring is an area that needs improvement, especially to make statistics usable. Brands like Fitbit and Samsung have made big strides in this area in recent years, adding features like a score that rates your comfort. Fitbit Labs appears to be the next step in this direction.