Along with public awareness of the importance of maintaining health, many devices and applications have been produced to support this; one of them is the smart scale.
Not only measuring body weight, a smart scale with sensors and electric current can also monitor your overall health.
In this article, we will review the smart scale from its definition, how it works, benefits, and regulations in Indonesia.
What is a Smart Scale?
Smart scales are scales equipped with advanced sensors and connectivity technologies such as Bluetooth or WiFi.
This tool can usually display several data points such as body weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, water content, bone mass, body mass index (BMI), and basal metabolic rate (BMR).
The data generated by the technology can then be sent to health apps on the user’s phone such as Google Fit, Apple Health, or the device’s built-in app.
Smart scales are suitable for the whole family, as some devices also support multi-user features.
How it Works
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is the basis of how the smart scale works. BIA is used to measure various components of the body through electrical currents. Here’s how the technology works in detail:
Sensors conduct electric current: Metal sensors on the surface of the scale conduct a low electric current through the soles of the feet to the rest of the body and back to the device.
The electric current measures impedance: The device measures the impedance to estimate your body composition you have.
The impedance calculates the data through an algorithm: The impedance data is processed by the chip inside the scale to generate data such as weight, height, age, and gender. With certain algorithms, the technology calculates body weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, water content, bone mass, body mass index (BMI), and basal metabolic rate (BMR).
The Benefits
With various conveniences, smart scales provide many benefits, making them an ideal choice for individuals who want to maintain fitness, personal trainers, and health clinics. Here are some of the main benefits of the technology in everyday life:
1. Comprehensive health monitoring
The device can comprehensively monitor not only body weight but also body fat percentage, muscle mass, water content, bone mass, body mass index (BMI), and basal metabolic rate (BMR).
2. Motivation in diet and exercise programs
The device can display data via graphs displayed in the application, so users can see the progress of diet and exercise programs consistently.
3. Integration with other smart devices
The data generated by the device can be used in conjunction with a smartwatch, fitness tracker, smartphone, or even nutrition applications.
Role of Smartphone Application for Smart Scale
The smart scale calculates the data and then synchronizes the results to the health application on the smartphone. Connecting the device to a smartphone is done via a Bluetooth or WiFi connection.
Through the application on your smartphone, you can see data such as trends in weight change, body composition over time, weekly or monthly graphs, daily or monthly targets, and notifications when significant changes occur.
Some apps can even connect with other devices, such as smartwatches or fitness trackers, to provide a more comprehensive picture of your health.
Wireless Data Synchronization and RF Signal Reliability
Smart scales operate by utilising a BIA microcontroller and an active radio frequency (RF) antenna, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi. This is why they require type approval certification.
This certification will ensure that the scales used are safe and do not interfere with other household wireless devices. The process involves testing for Radio Frequency (RF) emission stability, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and low-power standby mode efficiency.
Since 2008, Dimulti has been a trusted partner in the field of type approval certification for telecommunications and IoT hardware. We help global manufacturers, importers and distributors to complete the certification process effectively and efficiently. Partnering with us will ensure your products meet all the RF, EMC and safety standards required for unhindered market access.
