KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today finalized standards that will accelerate the proliferation of Bluetooth wireless technology sensors that measure speed and cadence for running and cycling activity. Made possible by Bluetooth v4.0 low energy technology, the recently approved standards will enable the next generation of Bluetooth Smart fitness devices. Companies can now quickly implement Bluetooth Smart sensors in sports devices to instantaneously transmit data such as running cadence, stride length, total distance, or cycling speed, distance, and pedal cadence to Bluetooth enabled devices like smart phones, sports watches, and cycling computers.

Bluetooth technology already has significant momentum in the sports and fitness market, making it possible for products like the Nike+ FuelBand, Nike+ Basketball and Training shoes, Polar heart rate monitors, and many more to connect to the Bluetooth ecosystem. The new running and cycling standards will accelerate growth in this space. By allowing manufacturers to use standards-based protocols, the new profiles give companies the opportunity to quickly create innovative products that can connect to the vast array of Bluetooth enabled hub devices.

ABI Research, Inc. forecasts shipments of Bluetooth enabled sports and fitness devices will grow ten-fold from 2011 to 2016, totaling 278 million and representing over 60 percent of the total available market. According to ABIs Jonathan Collins, principal analyst in telematics and M2M technologies, this is being driven by the trend to move away from proprietary solutions and toward Bluetooth Smart devices.

Supporting Quotes

Suke Jawanda, chief marketing officer, Bluetooth SIG:

Historically, sports and fitness sensors capable of tracking speed and cadence relied on proprietary technology, limiting their reach and functionality. The Running S&C and Cycling S&C profiles unlock these sensors, allowing companies to build products that can connect with the tens of millions of Bluetooth Smart Ready devices already in the market, and the hundreds of millions on the way in the coming quarters. As an OEM, if you want your product to connect with billions of products your customers likely already use on a daily basis, then Bluetooth technology is the obvious choice. A rich supplier ecosystem and our organizations continued dedication to perfecting Bluetooth profiles for the sports and fitness market is one of the many reasons Bluetooth technology is becoming the de facto wireless standard for low power sensor devices. Not only in this market, but in healthcare, home automation, and more.

Brian Bedrosian, director of deeply embedded wireless connectivity business, Broadcom:

Bluetooth Smart is playing an important role in augmenting the value of smartphones by enabling consumers to interact with Bluetooth or Bluetooth Smart heart rate and blood pressure monitors, measurement sensors and other sports and fitness devices without significant impact on battery life. Broadcom continues to help drive the proliferation and integration of this exciting technology, which has demonstrated the potential to open up entirely new applications and markets for home health, fitness and diagnostics.

Paul Williamson, senior product marketing manager for health and fitness, CSR:

Link:
Bluetooth SIG Adopts Key Profiles for Sports and Fitness Market