Future Apple Watches may tell you if you’re getting dehydrated

Future Apple Watches may tell you if you’re getting dehydrated. Apple has been granted patent (number 11,089,999) for “hydration measurement with a watch.”

Background of the patent

In the patent data, the tech giant notes that portable electronic devices such as smartwatches continue to expand to meet the needs and expectations of many consumers. However, some traditional portable electronic devices, particularly wearable electronic devices, may have relatively limited functionality or are only able to perform a specialized set of functions or tasks, the company adds. 

For example, some traditional electronic wristwatches may be configured to perform a relatively limited set of functions, including displaying time, date, and performing basic timing functions. The newly granted patent involves an Apple Watchthat provides a wide range of functionality, including hydration tracking for a user wearing the device. 

Summary of the patent

Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Hydration measurement capabilities can be provided by a wearable electronic device, such as a watch, to allow a user to easily track hydration. A watch can be positioned to receive and measure one or more electrical properties of perspiration produced by the user wearing the watch. The watch provides electrodes for measuring the electrical properties of the perspiration. 

“The electrical properties, such as electrical conductance, can represent a concentration of electrolytes in the perspiration, which in turn represents a hydration level of the user. The hydration tracking can be performed non-invasively, repeatedly, accurately, automatically, and with minimal user intervention. The measurements can be used to provide useful feedback and health tracking information to a user, thereby allowing the user to better manage hydration and overall health.”