Apple Gives ABC a Look Inside its Health Labs, Development of Apple Watch

Prior to its announcement, Apple had its employees work out with the device and exposed the Apple Watch in a variety environments, from blazing hot deserts to the cold tundra — sometimes without the testers knowing what, exactly, they had on their wrists.

Any look at the inner workings of Apple is rare, and ABC News’ tour of the company’s health and fitness labs built to develop the Apple Watch are a first. Selected personnel in the company were given the opportunity to run, row, perform yoga and other activities so the device — which would be covered up and hidden from the testers — could collect information.

The company also utilized what it called “climate chambers” to simulate temperatures from around the world. Apple also sent testers to the locations the chambers were set to, to ensure the watch would work in real-world situations.

The coverage of the story focuses on the advantages the Apple Watch will bring to those who need health-related information, from the user of the device to medical professionals. It also touched on the integration the watch has with ResearchKit, and how it could be a game changer for researchers.

Jay Blahnik, Apple’s  director of fitness and health said, “I think we’ve amassed already what may be one of the world’s largest pieces of data on fitness. Our view is, we’re just beginning. We think there’s a lot to this fitness thing…the impact on health could be profound.”

Via ABC News. Photo by ABC.