Garmin is developing technology that can accurately measure hematocrit levels to determine dehydration by analyzing blood composition using optical sensors. This technology utilizes specific wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin, providing a genuine physiological measurement rather than educated guesses. This method represents a significant advancement in wearable health tech, moving beyond simple reminders. The capability to measure blood composition non-invasively offers exciting prospects for athletes and health-conscious individuals, providing timely hydration alerts based on precise physiological data.
The fundamental problem with current hydration tracking is that it's not tracking at all - it's just nagging on a schedule, completely divorced from your body's actual needs.
Garmin's latest patent filing is developing technology that could measure your actual hematocrit levels, the proportion of red blood cells in your blood, which rises when you're dehydrated.
This technology works through a clever application of optical sensors using specific wavelengths of light (850 nm and 1,000 nm) that can penetrate the skin and analyze blood composition.
Garmin's patent extends this capability to something previously unavailable outside medical settings, using similar hardware with specialized wavelengths and algorithms.
Collection
[
|
...
]