Matrix PowerWatch: The World’s First Smartwatch Powered by Body Heat
How many times have you been left annoyed with a gadget that shut down the very moment you needed it most. Don’t we all just long for a life without the need to charge devices ever again? While in most cases that is wishful thinking, the smartwatch brand Matrix intrigues with exactly that: the PowerWatch survives without the need to be charged, simply by converting your body heat into electricity.
The innovative product was awarded with the 2017 IF Design Award. Its features include that it accurately measures calories burned, a step counter to measure activity, and sleep tracking to monitor your sleep quality, all this by using thermoelectric technology, which is the same technology NASA has used to power the Voyager spacecraft and the Curiosity Mars rover. Naturally, it also lets you set alarms and timers.
To make it match your needs, the display of the smartwatch has a range of customization options.
There is a PowerSave mode that kicks in to conserve energy by shutting down non-timekeeping functions, and as a result the smartwatch will keep running for up to 12 months even if you don't wear it.
The smartwatch wirelessly syncs with an according app which is available for iOS and Android. As currently only smartwatch on the market, it shows how much electric power you have produced during the day, just like an electric meter.
The "PowerWatch" smartwatch is water resistant to 50m, which makes it the smartwatch with the highest waterproof rating on the market. The smartwatch is available at $199 USD, or as "Black Ops Pack" All-Black Special Edition with black Milanese strap at $229 USD.
There is also the "PowerWatch X" model which features notifications (incoming alerts from your phone), a slightly larger diameter (50mm instead of 46mm) and 200m water resistance. It is more endurable thanks to a reinforced bezel and a silicone rubber strap. The "PowerWatch X" is available at $279 USD.