Matrix Industries has unveiled the Matrix PowerWatch, which is billed as the world’s first smartwatch that uses thermoelectric technology ‘so you never have to recharge or replace its battery’. Launched on Indiegogo, the device employs ‘breakthrough nano-materials, advanced thermal engineering, and the latest in low power electronics’ to run exclusively off heat generated from the body. It also uses this technology to measure calories burned and show power generated from the body.
The rugged aircraft-grade aluminium timepiece functions as a smartwatch that wirelessly syncs with a smartphone, automatically adjusts to the current time zone and has changeable watch faces. The device also features advanced activity, sleep, calorie and power tracking functionality and stores up to a year’s worth of data. When taking off the watch, it automatically goes into sleep mode, keeping all the data in memory. As Matrix points out, ‘it turns on after a few seconds when you put it back on’.
“Matrix’s thermoelectric platform technology now makes it possible to power a wide range of products without the need for replaceable batteries or an external power source,” said Akram Boukai, co-founder and CEO of Matrix.
The Matrix PowerWatch has a high contrast display, comes with a military-grade nylon strap, and is water resistant up to 50m. It is positioned as the only smartwatch in the world to feature a power meter which indicates power being generated and power generated for the day.
“Our thermal energy harvesting technology, together with state-of-the-art sensor fusion algorithms, enables very accurate calorie counting,” said Douglas Tham, co-founder and CTO of Matrix.
Matrix PowerWatch is available now for pre order at Indiegogo. The company notes that it will retail for US$169.99 and will ship in July 2017.
