Apple patent application describes the use of a perspiration sensor on the Apple Watch to measure sweat

Apple has applied for a patent for a new sensor for its Apple Watch that could allow it to track a user’s sweat measurements. The company is trying to expand health and fitness tracking features on its smartwatches. Previous reports have suggested that the company’s next generation of smartwatches – the so-called Apple Watch Series 10 – may feature a blood pressure sensor. Now, on Thursday, a patent application from Apple was spotted at the US Patent and Trademark Office, which describes the ability to monitor sweat.

Spotted by Apple, the patent application is titled “Wearable device with sweat measuring capabilities.” Various images in the application confirm that a patent for a new sensor is being registered for the Apple Watch. The details also suggest that the tech giant may use two different sensors for this feature. The application states, “Other embodiments are directed to a device for calculating a sweat metric of a user, wherein the device includes a housing having a skin-facing outer surface, a sweat sensor having a first electrode and The second electrode joins, and one joins. The processor is configured to calculate a sweat metric using a sweat sensor.

Apple could employ sweat measuring sensors in a number of ways. The most likely approach would be to track the rate of sweat loss, which could provide information about the user’s hydration level. The iPhone maker could use it to send alerts for dehydration. Sweat rate can also be used to determine the amount of sodium lost by the body, which could prompt the smartwatch to notify the user of possible hyponatremia. Conversely, lack of sweating may lead to disturbed body heat regulation, and an early warning may help the user seek medical help to diagnose the underlying cause.

However, it is also noted that not all patent applications result in granted patents. Furthermore, Apple already has a large number of patents that have yet to be transformed into commercial features. As a result, it is currently unclear whether users will see such a feature with future Apple Watch models.

While Apple is unlikely to debut a sweat sensor on upcoming smartwatch models, an earlier report suggested that the Apple Watch Series 10 – expected to arrive later this year – will be equipped with blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection features. Might be possible. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed that Apple has been working on these features for a long time and they could finally be introduced in the company’s 10th generation smartwatch.