Decoding Fitness Tech: A Deep Dive into Huawei's Biometric Testing Facility

Inside the Lab

The facility is a playground for both tech enthusiasts and athletes. The centerpiece is a motion capture court equipped with 30 high-speed cameras, capable of recording at 10,000 frames per second with millimeter-level accuracy. This system, previously leveraged with the Chinese Sports Authority and Team China Olympic athletes, allows for detailed form analysis across various sports.

Precision in Motion

During my visit, the motion capture system was put to the test with badminton. Despite some initial challenges with the reflective dots adhering to my skin due to perspiration, the system was able to generate a wireframe model of my movements. According to the staff, the post-processing and analysis of this data can be invaluable for refining athletic technique. The adaptability of the motion capture extends beyond badminton to other court sports like basketball.

Treadmill Tech

The lab features a treadmill equipped with a suite of sensors for comprehensive biometric and motion analysis. It supports a range of activities from walking and running to more unconventional ones like biking, skiing, and even skateboarding. I was able to test the treadmill's capabilities, and analytics indicated excellent ground contact time while running. Attempting to skateboard was less successful, resulting in a comical wipeout.

Climbing and Safety

The facility also houses a rock climbing wall used to validate data collected by Huawei's smartwatches. A key feature of the GT6 Pro, fall detection, is tested using a dummy, ensuring the watch can automatically call emergency services via ESIM (on the Ultimate 2) or a Bluetooth-connected phone (on the GT6 Pro).

Aquatic Analysis

A temperature-controlled pool with adjustable currents simulates real-world swimming conditions. Underwater sensors and cameras track metrics like speed, heart rate, and stroke form. The Watch Ultimate 2 also supports divercoms, allowing users to send pre-programmed messages via sonic pulses—a potentially life-saving feature for underwater communication.

Beyond the Lab: Real-World Testing

To complement the controlled lab environment, Huawei utilizes a themed "European Village" for real-world testing. Here, features like the TrueSport system on the GT6 Pro are evaluated, which factors in biometrics, environmental conditions, and the type of bike used to calculate virtual power. During a bike ride, the watch measured a peak virtual power of 289 watts, aligning with personal gym data.

Product Showcase

The tour concluded at Huawei's flagship store, which featured a range of products. The GT6 Pro, designed for athletic users, boasts sapphire glass, multiple band options, and up to 21 days of battery life. The Watch Ultimate 2 enhances these features with improved style, underwater communication, ESIM, and more accurate blood monitoring. Other showcased products included the Mate X6 foldable phone and the Matebook Fold, a China-only foldable laptop.

Final Thoughts

Huawei's commitment to scientific validation is evident in its advanced health lab. By combining high-precision motion capture, comprehensive biometric analysis, and real-world testing, Huawei aims to provide more accurate and reliable fitness tracking in its wearables. The attention to detail and investment in research could set a new standard for the industry, ultimately benefiting consumers seeking data-driven insights into their physical performance.