According to the latest report, Apple is looking for a new market for its wearables and is considering an extreme sports Apple Watch. A new waterproof patent application from Apple bolsters this idea.
The technology described in the patent will make it possible for the Apple Watch to evolve from an IPxx rating for everyday use to a stricter ATM rating for water sports.
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Background
Bloomberg published several reports last year, the first describing a rugged model in March. Apple is considering expanding its lineup of Apple Watch models with a new model focused on athletes, extreme climbers, and hikers. According to Bloomberg, the watch’s case will feature a rugged design with impact resistance and a protective look similar to Casio G-Shock watches.
The second focuses on the expected design and technical improvements of the Apple Watch Series 7 but also references a separate model expected to launch this year. Described by some inside Apple as an “explorer” or “adventure” version, the extreme sports model is more likely to launch in 2022. This new model will help Apple compete with protective products from manufacturers such as Garmin and Casio.
Extreme Sports Apple Watch Models: Related Patents
It would make sense for an “adventure” model to offer sport-grade water resistance, and here’s what the current published patent application cites. “Wearable devices need to be able to withstand increasingly stringent reliability requirements, such as exposure to dust, sand, or other debris.
Gel-filled sensors have been used to meet these requirements, but due to orientation sensitivity and water in the gel surface Induced capillary pressure errors, susceptible to pressure errors. It is possible to eliminate gels by using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes or meshes to provide environmental robustness, but membranes and/or meshes are prone to water clogging […]
The present description relates generally to sensor technology, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a self-contained water detector having an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane structure. “
What the patent describes is a more efficient way to detect water ingress and take steps to protect the smartwatch. As Patently Apple suggests, this could mean that Apple is aiming to measure sports-focused water resistance in the atmosphere or ATM.
While these ratings may sound extreme even for sports use, the reality is that even in relatively shallow water, fast movements (such as diving from fairly high altitudes) can result in high voltage ratings.
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5 ATM (50m water resistance): Pool diving
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10 ATM (water-resistant to 100 meters): surfing, snorkeling, rafting, and other water activities
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20 ATM (200m water resistance): Sport scuba diving
*5 ATM water resistance indicates that the watch is water-resistant to 5 ATM, which is 5 atmospheres of water resistance.
