Google gives Fitbit a holistic AI coach
Google's Fitbit platform is getting a major app redesign, accompanied by a large portion of Gemini. AI is to serve as a personal health coach.
Google extensively overhauls the Fitbit app and gives it an AI coach.
(Image: Google)
AI is moving in everywhere at Google. As part of the launch of the Pixel 10 series and the Pixel Watch 4, the company not only announced Gemini for the smart home, but also a major update for the Fitbit app. In future, Gemini will function as a "fitness trainer, sleep coach and health and wellness advisor". The manufacturer is initially planning a rollout for premium users in the USA from October.
Training plan based on real-time data
As the company writes in its announcement, the AI coach is designed to help with dynamic training planning and recovery. During weekly training planning, it will create detailed workouts and training goals based on personal health goals. The AI should be able to dynamically adapt the workouts based on real-time data. For example, if you have had a bad night, this should be taken into account so that the training for the day is correspondingly less intensive.
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You should also be able to proactively inform the chatbot at any time if you are ill or injured or are pursuing a new goal. According to Google, the coach adapts the training sessions accordingly. The AI also keeps an eye on improving sleep quality.
Sleep coach
In addition to its function as an AI fitness trainer, the app is also intended to serve as a sleep coach. New algorithms are designed to recognize patterns and also help to overcome jet lag. The coach will also be able to create a personalized sleep plan that is adapted to your daily activity level, according to Google.
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Beyond training and sleep, Google wants to use the Fitbit app to provide a holistic view of health and well-being. The coach should be able to get to know "preferences and the highs and lows" of the user. Fitbit will also take into account real-time measurements from Fitbit wearables and Pixel Watch. Through the support of Health Connect and HealthKit, the coach should be able to learn more about the wearer's health and wellness data –, for example, the platform can receive the weight of the preferred smart scale or the blood sugar values from glucose meters.
Google also promises to ask the coach questions about health issues, to which users will receive "personalized answers" that are "scientifically based", according to the company. For example, users will be able to ask: "Should I sleep an extra hour or exercise tomorrow morning?" or "I'm feeling stressed right now. What can I do?"
AI coach part of a revamped Fitbit app
According to Google, the Fitbit app has been redesigned around the Coach and AI as core functions. "The entire app has been redesigned so that the health coach can understand personal goals, create a plan, contextualize metrics and provide insights at the right time," the company explains.
(Image:Â Google)
Improvements have also been made that take user feedback into account. These include a more intuitive data visualization, clearer layouts for finding information, improved synchronization – and a dark mode.
Unfortunately, according to Google, the completely redesigned app is currently US-only. On request, the company does not provide any information on when a launch in Germany can be expected.
This statement comes as no great surprise, as Google's AI products have been developed first for the US market in recent months (if not years) and then rolled out to other markets in phases. Recent examples include Gemini and AI search, which were only made available here after a delay of a few months. The AI function Magic Cue, which was introduced with the Pixel 10 and is seen as a proactive assistant that runs directly on the new smartphones, will also only be available in the US at market launch.
Google is not the only one working on further expanding its health platform; Apple and Samsung are also involved. With watchOS 26, for example, Apple wants to bring a Workout Buddy to the wrist, which is designed to encourage users to exercise. Samsung's One UI 8 Watch contains some similar functions to Google's and Apple's platforms. In addition to a running coach, which is designed to motivate and give instructions in real time, the platform aims to help users sleep better.
(afl)
