The Apple Watch should find the perfect fit all by itself

Oct 10, 2017 08:48 GMT  ·  By

Apple has recently been granted a patent for a new strap design that would make it possible for the Apple Watch to tighten itself on the wrist, thus getting the perfect fit.

While at first glance this sounds more like a cool feature that has no real benefit, it’s actually an implementation that helps both users and Apple itself get more from the Apple Watch.

First and foremost, the Apple Watch could always find the most comfortable settings without the user even touching the strap. Then, Apple could make sure that the Watch provides more accurate readings by always having the device perfectly fitting the wrist, which allows for better heart rate and movement tracking.

Apple's U.S. Patent No. 9,781,984 for “Dynamic fit adjustment for wearable electronic devices” explains that the Cupertino-based firm was considering several systems to make the self-adjusting strap real, including one that uses the clasp to automatically pull and push the band.

Auto-adjusting depending on wrist size

A second implementation relies on embedded memory wire, which would in turn use gas or fluid bladders to control the strap shape and adjust it to the wearer’s wrist.

No matter what direction Apple adopts, the company is looking into two options right now: either make the strap work all by itself by auto detecting the wrist and adjusting accordingly or offer several pre-defined settings on the Watch and let users choose the one that’s best for them.

“Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting the fit of a wearable electronic device are disclosed. In many embodiments, a tensioner associated with a wearable electronic device can control one or more actuators that are mechanically coupled to either the housing or to a band attached to the wearable electronic device. In one example, in response to a signal to increase the tightness of the band, the tensioner can cause the actuator(s) to increase the tension within the band,” Apple explains in the description of the patent.

As with every patent out there, there’s no guarantee this technology could make it to production, but it does sound like a feature Apple would be interested in for its watches.