News Article
Rohm reveals compact wearable key device
The design integrates multiple sensors. These include a MEMS accelerometer and gyroscope, Bluetooth LE IC, and low power sensor hub and microcontroller
Rohm has announced the development of a versatile wearable key device that provides functionality, from counting the number of steps taken, estimating the number of calories consumed, and calculating distance. The device also performs lock/unlock operation (via gesture control), detecting small metallic objects (i.e. for food inspection), and monitoring UV exposure. It can also determine when the wearer is walking up/down stairs, on a bicycle, or riding in a train or car. Most wearable devices on the market are designed to perform simple activity monitoring, such as counting steps or estimating calories burned, and offer very few points of differentiation. Rohm bucks this trend by developing a breakthrough key-shaped device utilising sensor synergy and sensor fusion technology, combining sensors from Rohm and Kionix with Lapis Semiconductor's Bluetooth LE communication IC and sensor hub microcontroller. Integrated sensors include a 3-in-1 proximity, ambient light sensor, IR LED, optical UV sensor, MEMS accelerometer and gyroscope, piezoresistive barometric pressure sensor, ultra-high sensitivity MI (Magnetic Impedance) sensor, and RGB sensor. Power is provided by an efficient 110mA/hr lithium ion battery that enables continuous operation for over 8 hours while requiring only 1 hour to fully charge (via USB).
