MAX32600 or “Wasp”, incorporates the robust communication capabilities, proven security and low power consumption required for wearable applications
To capitalize on the growing wearable device market, Maxim Integrated partnered with Logic PD to develop a platform to demonstrate the viability of their newest technology to wearable device customers. Completed in a ten-week timeline, the Wellness Watch is a wearable body fitness monitor that transmits the user’s body telemetry to a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Paving the way for wearable technology are advances in low power wireless connectivity, sensor technology, big data, cloud services, and mobile computing power. But how do OEMs who have this technology get in front of companies looking to capitalize on the growing wearable technology market?
Maxim’s latest hardware, the MAX32600 or “Wasp”, incorporates the robust communication capabilities, proven security and low power consumption required for wearable applications. To showcase their capabilities in the marketplace, Maxim commissioned Logic PD as a full service development partner to build a demonstration platform; a wearable body fitness monitor that utilizes Maxim technology. However, in order for the platform to be exhibited at Maxim’s annual Investor Day, development would have to be completed within a very tight timeline of 10 weeks.
The Wellness Watch
To complete the project within time constraints, Logic PD decided to leverage “lean start-up” methodology and principles to build, measure, and learn through a rapid development cycle. The outcome of the 10 week sprint would be a viable product that demonstrates Maxim’s sensors and technology in the wearable device market. The platform, called the Wellness Watch, is worn on the wrist and transmits the user’s body telemetry to a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Logic PD assigned dedicated designers and engineers to work closely with Maxim throughout the development process to ensure a successful delivery within the short timeline. Engineers quickly began development to ensure that desired functions from tracking movement to skin temperature and heart rate would be ready. Maxim had planned to deliver the final hardware two weeks before the deadline date, so Logic PD software engineers worked in advance using development kits to build functionality. Once delivered, Logic PD relied heavily on Maxim engineers to guide them through configuration to build and enhance the desired features of the Wellness Watch platform.
The industrial design team worked closely with mechanical engineers to design the enclosure and housing component to fit the board design and desired layout. For demonstration, the Wellness Watch is designed to measure and display over 5 different telemetry readings– more than many smart watches on the market today. But, this functionality requires many components; therefore, thickness of the watch was a concern. Mechanical engineers created a viable solution by working with electrical engineers to alter the configuration so components fit more closely together to create a slimmer device.
The demonstration platform also had to be rugged to withstand heavy usage and travel. Quick decisions were made by Maxim and Logic PD to balance cost and materials with ease of manufacturing the platform to ensure that the Wellness Watch was rugged but also fashionable and functional.
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