Design Article
FitBit blends wireless, MCUs and MEMS with online interface
Patrick Mannion
9/22/2010 11:18 AM EDT
Choices and consequences
While each design feature and component selection choice had its own clear set of issues, benefits and consequences, as described in the context of the wireless interface, some of those consequences reverberated down the line to manufacturing. For example, the MCU came in a microBGA package and it turned out the contract manufacturer FitBit wanted to use couldn’t handle the pitch size.
In addition, the push to minimize weight affected the pc board, which ended up being only 0.5 mm thick. This meant the team had to take extra steps to reinforce the board as its fragility was affecting yield.
These were just some of the issues the team faced in making a workable, production-worthy design. The final product was light and easy to use, but was unfortunately also easy to lose.
After a 3-mile trial run I returned home to find it missing from my waistband. I ran the trail again – faster, as it was getting dark – but to no avail. The FitBit was gone. But I ran 6 miles that day, so I guess it did make me fitter, so I have to say it works!
PS: Park said that they’re aware of the issue and are reworking the clip design.
Fig.3: Future personal fitness monitors may include energy harvesting technology to keep the battery charged.
While each design feature and component selection choice had its own clear set of issues, benefits and consequences, as described in the context of the wireless interface, some of those consequences reverberated down the line to manufacturing. For example, the MCU came in a microBGA package and it turned out the contract manufacturer FitBit wanted to use couldn’t handle the pitch size.
In addition, the push to minimize weight affected the pc board, which ended up being only 0.5 mm thick. This meant the team had to take extra steps to reinforce the board as its fragility was affecting yield.
These were just some of the issues the team faced in making a workable, production-worthy design. The final product was light and easy to use, but was unfortunately also easy to lose.
After a 3-mile trial run I returned home to find it missing from my waistband. I ran the trail again – faster, as it was getting dark – but to no avail. The FitBit was gone. But I ran 6 miles that day, so I guess it did make me fitter, so I have to say it works!
PS: Park said that they’re aware of the issue and are reworking the clip design.
Fig.3: Future personal fitness monitors may include energy harvesting technology to keep the battery charged.
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t.alex
9/25/2010 8:20 PM EDT
This is so cool a product! But with many personal gadgets nowadays, I would prefer it to be integrated to my watch or to my cellphone.
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lifewingmate
9/30/2010 5:29 PM EDT
I'm impressed with the design, functionality, and usability of this product. It is compact and light yet does so much (Garmin tends to be larger). I agree with t. alex that integrating the product into other more common items should be added to their roadmap. For example, it could be an add-on (like OnStar). I personally use the Nike SportBand and find that helpful (except I believe there is no stopwatch function or heart rate monitor). I do have two tech savvy friends that have been using the fitbit for quite awhile and they've enjoyed being able to post their results on social media.
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Jagdish Bisawa
10/13/2010 2:42 AM EDT
A MUST READ ARTICLE FOR PRODUCT DESIGNERS
This is a beautiful article that has probably missed the eye of most of the users - this is apparent from the number of comments posted :)
Rather than discussing about the product, I'd like to lay stress on the issues that have been discussed in this article. These issues are not only related to the portable, low-power product category, but they throw light on what situations a team can face while making a product & releasing it in the market.
This article is thus, a must-read for all the prospective designers.
Let us take this further & exchange our experiences.
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