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The Matrix PowerWatch 2: A new GPS smartwatch that uses your body heat to power itself

The Matrix PowerWatch 2: A new GPS smartwatch that uses your body heat to power itself (Image source: Matrix)
The Matrix PowerWatch 2: A new GPS smartwatch that uses your body heat to power itself (Image source: Matrix)
The currently crowdfunded Matrix PowerWatch 2 is expected to have almost unlimited battery life and comes with both an LCD display and a GPS module. The device is currently comparatively affordable too.

Wristwatches that can operate without batteries or needing to be charged have been around since at least the 1920s. By contrast, smartwatches have typically been powered by traditional lithium-ion batteries. Matrix sought to change this with its PowerWatch 1 and PowerWatch X, which used a wearer's body heat to generate energy to power its battery.

The company is now planning to release a successor, which is aptly called the PowerWatch 2. The watch uses improved thermoelectric generators and a solar-cell that is integrated within the watch face. The improved power generation has allowed Matrix to include an LCD colour display, which looks to be a massive improvement over the PowerWatch X's monochrome screen.

The PowerWatch 2 is equipped with GPS, a heart rate sensor and a pedometer for providing data about your bike rides, hikes or runs. The watch is also water resistant for up to 200 m. The watch can use your body heat to track your sleeping pattern too. The improved thermoelectric generators also supposedly make the PowerWatch 2 the most accurate calorie counting smartwatch of any currently on the market.

The watch has a 47 mm diameter, while its face 16 mm thick. Moreover, Matrix claims that the band and the face will weigh between 60-70 g. The PowerWatch 2 works with Android or iOS and is currently available to pre-order on Indiegogo for US$199. The campaign has reached over US$900,000 at the time of writing and has 27 days to run. Matrix estimates that it will ship the PowerWatch 2 in June this year. The device will then retail for US$499.

The Matrix PowerWatch 2
The Matrix PowerWatch 2
The Matrix PowerWatch 2
The Matrix PowerWatch 2
The Matrix PowerWatch 2
 

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 01 > The Matrix PowerWatch 2: A new GPS smartwatch that uses your body heat to power itself
Alex Alderson, 2019-01-10 (Update: 2019-01-10)