Fitbit

• Field of Study: Computer Science

Abstract

The term Fitbit refers to activity tracker devices manufactured and sold by Fitbit, Incorporated. Designed to help users take control of their health and fitness, Fitbit devices track data such as step counts and calories burned, among other functions. Following the first product launch in 2009, Fitbit devices popularized wearable activity trackers among the public, prompting the creation of a wide variety of competing fitness devices.

History of Fitbit

In the first decade of the twenty-first century, growing interest in health and fitness converged with significant advances in consumer technology. This lead to the increasing popularity of wearable electronic devices. The personal activity tracker is essentially an upgraded version of earlier pedometers, or step counters. Activity trackers record and measure fitness data. More advanced models can sync seamlessly with the user's computer or smartphone. One such family of devices, sold under the brand name Fitbit, was introduced in 2009. Different Fitbit products allow users to track various fitness-related data.

Fitbit, Incorporated was founded in 2007 by James Park and Eric Friedman as Healthy Metrics Research Incorporated. The company's initial goal was to incorporate accelerometers into wearable technology. Accelerometers are small sensors that measure acceleration forces. The founders presented a prototype consisting of a circuit board within a small balsawood box to investors in 2008. The company's first device, known as the Fitbit Tracker, was released to the public in 2009. The original Fitbit clipped to the wearer's clothing. The small device could count and track the number of steps taken and estimate the number of calories burned while worn. Over the following years, the company released numerous additional Fitbit devices featuring different functions.

Google acquired Fitbit in January 2021 for $2.1 billion. Following the acquisition, Fitbit became part of Google's hardware division. In August 2022, Google rebranded Fitbit devices as "Fitbit by Google" on Fitbit's website and in the Google Store.

Types of Fitbit Devices

The Fitbit Tracker could track the number of steps the user took per day and estimate how many calories such activity burned. The device also tracked the user's sleep duration and quality. The Fitbit Tracker could be worn clipped to the user's clothing during the day. It also came with a wristband with which to wear the device at night. The device was paired with a website where users could document their exercise routines and meals and record their weight. It also came with a charging station that enabled users to wirelessly upload the data collected by their Fitbits.

Over the following years, Fitbit introduced more than ten other devices with a variety of different functions. Its products are divided among three product lines: everyday, active, and performance fitness. Devices such as the Fitbit One and the Fitbit Charge belong to the everyday fitness category. They track the user's minutes of activity and number of floors climbed, among other data. Some devices, including the Fitbit Charge and the Fitbit Alta, feature clock displays and can connect to the user's smartphone to display caller information. The active fitness product category includes the Fitbit Charge HR and Blaze. The Charge HR adds heart rate tracking to the Fitbit Charge's features. The Fitbit Blaze features the standard activity-tracking features as well as music controls and phone notifications. The Fitbit Surge, a performance fitness device, was Fitbit's first smartwatch. It featured GPS, heart rate monitoring, and smartphone notifications, among other features. Fitbit also manufactures the Aria and Aria2 smart scales, along with a more basic version called the Aria Air smart scale. Aria tracks data like the user's weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and muscle mass, and syncs with both the user's activity tracker and the Fitbit website. The Aria Air model is more budget friendly and focuses primarily on body weight and body mass index, but still syncs data to the user's Fitbit app.

By the early 2020s, Fitbit had launched new models, including the Fitbit Versa and Sense. These models officially launched before Google's acquisition of Fitibit in 2021, and were updated again in 2022. The Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Sense are fitness trackers that monitor heart rate, sleep, and physical activity, offering features like exercise modes, step tracking, and distance measurement. Both are water-resistant up to 50 meters (54.6 yards), have metallic casings with interchangeable wristbands, and support iOS and Android devices. The Sense has advanced features, such as a built-in GPS, an EDA sensor for stress tracking, and an OLED display, while the Versa has an LCD display and offers GPS options for select activities.

Inside Fitbit Devices

As multifunctional wearable devices, Fitbit activity trackers require that numerous components fit into a limited amount of space. The Fitbit Flex wristband-style device, for example, contains a variety of small electronic components, including several integrated circuits (ICs). An IC is a silicon microchip that can perform a specialized task, such as handling memory. One core component of the Fitbit Flex is the three-axis accelerometer IC, which measures acceleration forces to track the user's movement. The device also contains a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB houses and connects multiple smaller components. It is controlled by a microcontroller, a chip that is essentially a tiny computer, complete with memory and a processor. As the device has a vibrating silent alarm function, the Fitbit Flex likewise has a vibrator component. For connectivity purposes, the device contains a low-energy connectivity IC, which enables wireless Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a near-field communications (NFC) antenna. The NFC antenna enables the device to communicate wirelessly with other NFC-compatible devices such as certain smartphones.

The specific components used in a Fitbit product vary based on the device in question. For example, the Fitbit Surge differs greatly from the clip- or wristband-based devices in terms of composition. However, the components in use generally have a number of common characteristics, including small size and very low power usage.

Impact and Challenges

The popularity of the early Fitbit devices spurred other companies' efforts to create similar devices. Some of these companies had been working on activity trackers prior to the advent of Fitbit. Some other activity-tracking wearable devices include Nike+ products, Jawbone UP bands, and the Apple Watch, which has some activity-tracking capabilities.

However, the popularity of activity trackers has also raised concerns regarding user privacy. The activity data gathered by such devices, and particularly GPS data, could potentially be used for harm if accessed by individuals with malicious intent. The safety and accuracy of Fitbit devices have also been called into question. A 2014 class-action lawsuit alleged that the Fitbit Force's wristband caused users to develop rashes on their wrists. Another lawsuit filed in January 2016 argued that the company had misled consumers about the accuracy of the heart rate data gathered by the Fitbit Surge and Fitbit Charge HR. Another class action lawsuit filed in 2022 alleged that several Fitbit devices, including the Versa, Sense, Inspire, and Blaze, are prone to overheating and causing burn injuries, extending beyond the recalled Fitbit Ionic. Filed in California federal court, the lawsuit sought to represent consumers whose devices were affected by the defect, claiming Fitbit had not adequately addressed the issue or provided refunds for discarded or upgraded devices. Plaintiffs argued that Fitbit downplayed user reports of burns, labeling them as hygiene issues or allergies. The lawsuit also raised safety concerns, claiming overheating devices pose risks, including potential fire hazards on airplanes.

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