Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and Forerunner 55 smartwatches selected for U.S. Space Force study
Garmin has announced a partnership with the U.S. Space Force Guardians on a new study. Over the course of two years, researchers will investigate the effectiveness of smartwatches versus the existing annual physical fitness assessments.
The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar and Forerunner 55 smartwatches will track heart and respiration-related fitness metrics and physical activity. Garmin suggests that the accuracy of biometric tracking and longer battery life make its wearables suitable for the task. Plus, you can turn off the GPS function, and the data collection and storage processes are suitably secure for the military. The Garmin Health API and a “custom enterprise business solution” will be used to collate and review the data throughout the study.
The project aims to save the U.S. Space Force Guardians time and money by replacing the yearly health assessment while improving the overall fitness level of the force. If it is successful, the smartwatches could be rolled out to other areas of the military. According to the announcement, over 6,000 smartwatches have already been distributed to force members who have signed up for the scheme, with a second wave of enrollment starting later this year.
Source(s)
