Sharp's initial smartwatch can track the calories you've consumed without the need to log any meals.
The Karada Mate Watch employs a bioelectrical impedance sensor to assess food and beverage intake by monitoring shifts in fluid and sugar levels within the body.
Sharp has entered the wearable market with its debut product, the Karada Mate Watch, which includes a unique capability that no major competitor has achieved. It utilizes a bioelectrical impedance sensor to track changes in body water and sugar levels, allowing for real-time calorie intake estimation from food and drinks.
How calorie tracking functions
Sharp collaborated with HEALBE Corporation, a biometric data company based in California, to develop this feature using its proprietary FLOW Technology for calorie estimation. By observing fluid movements and sugar fluctuations in the body, the smartwatch approximates the number of calories consumed, and compares that to calories burned, providing a continuous calorie balance. The device also tracks hydration levels and alerts you with audio and vibration notifications when your water intake is insufficient.
The display adjusts according to the time of day, a feature known as Circuit View. In the morning, it presents sleep duration, weather, and your agenda. Throughout the day, it displays step count, heart rate, and calories burned, while before bedtime, it shifts to show the next day’s weather forecast and upcoming activities.
The specifications of the watch are robust, featuring a 1.32-inch OLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 and always-on capabilities, along with Corning Gorilla Glass 5, a skin temperature sensor, SpO2 monitoring, and Bluetooth 5.4. It is water-resistant up to 5 ATM with IP6X dust protection. The Karada Mate Watch is compatible with devices operating on Android 14 or later and iOS 17 or later.
Pricing and availability
The Karada Mate Watch will be released in Japan on July 9, with a price of 59,400 yen (approximately $370), available in gold and silver colors. There is no information yet regarding international availability. Additionally, Sharp will provide a subscription service for 600 yen (approximately $4) per month through the companion Karada Mate app, granting users access to dietitian-led advice covering nutrition, sleep, exercise, and overall health.
The need for passive calorie intake tracking has been an ongoing issue in the wearables market for many years. With its unique approach, the Karada Mate Watch establishes a solid foundation, although real-world accuracy will be crucial for many potential buyers.
Pranob is an experienced tech journalist with more than eight years in consumer technology reporting. His work has been…
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Other articles
Sharp's initial smartwatch can track the calories you've consumed without the need to log any meals.
Sharp's inaugural smartwatch offers more than just calorie tracking. The Karada Mate Watch employs a bioelectrical impedance sensor to assess calorie and water consumption by analyzing changes in fluid and sugar levels within the body.
