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Tattoos interfere with fitness tracker accuracy, impacting heart rate and wrist detection

Wearable fitness trackers and smartwatches often struggle to accurately read heart rate and detect wrist presence for individuals with tattoos. The tattoo ink can interfere with the light-based sensors (photoplethysmography or PPG) used for these measurements. Device manufacturers like Garmin Ltd. and Apple Inc. have acknowledged this issue, advising users to wear devices on un-tattooed skin if possible. While workarounds like repositioning the device, using tape, or employing chest straps exist, they are not always ideal, highlighting a need for improved sensor technology that accounts for skin variations. AI

IMPACT Highlights a limitation in current sensor technology for wearables, suggesting a need for AI-driven improvements in sensor data interpretation.

RANK_REASON Article discusses a common user problem with existing technology products.

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Tattoos interfere with fitness tracker accuracy, impacting heart rate and wrist detection

COVERAGE [1]

  1. Engadget TIER_1 English(EN) · [email protected] (Cheyenne MacDonald) ·

    Do fitness trackers still work if you have tattoos?

    The short answer is: sometimes, but it's complicated.