By <https://9to5mac.com/author/benlovejoy/> Ben Lovejoy
One of the more timely WWDC announcements was
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/06/22/apple-previews-watchos-7-for-apple-watch-sle
ep-tracking-face-sharing-new-workouts-including-dance-activity-now-fitness-a
pp/> Apple Watch handwashing detection. The coronavirus crisis means
everyone is being encouraged to wash their hands more frequently, and to
ensure that we're doing so thoroughly.
But the handwashing detection feature wasn't developed hastily in response,
says Apple, but was rather years in development .
WHO and CDC guidelines recommend handwashing for at least 20 seconds, and
watchOS 7 aims to automatically detect when you're washing your hands, and
to start a 20-second countdown timer with a cute animation. If it detects
that you have stopped washing your hands before the time is up, it politely
prompts you to keep going.
Washing hands properly for at least 20 seconds can help prevent the spread
of illness. In a first-of-its-kind innovation for a wearable, Apple Watch
uses the motion sensors, microphone, and on-device machine learning to
automatically detect handwashing motions and sounds. It then initiates a
20-second countdown timer, and if the user finishes early, they will be
prompted to keep washing. Apple Watch can also conveniently remind the user
to wash their hands when they return home.
The Health app on iPhone will show frequency and duration of the user's
handwashing, as well as information on the importance of handwashing, as it
relates to overall health. Sounds used to detect handwashing are not
automatically recorded or saved by the Health app or Apple Watch.
Once automatically detected, handwashing will begin a 20-second timer.
A
<https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/29/apple-began-work-on-the-watchs-hand-washi
ng-feature-years-before-covid-19/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_
campaign=Feed%3A+techcrunch%2Fapple+%28TechCrunch+%C2%BB+apple%29>
TechCrunch report says that it took literally years of work.
Handwashing for the Apple Watch happily slotted alongside face masks for
Memojis in the list of COVID-19-related features the company introduced at
last week's WWDC keynote [.]
Unlike other rush initiatives undertaken by the company once the virus hit,
however, the forthcoming Apple Watch handwashing app wasn't built overnight.
The feature was the result of 'years of work,' VP of technology Kevin Lynch
told TechCrunch. In typical Apple fashion, the product was a result of years
of trial and error, according to the executive.
The Apple Watch handwashing feature relies on three cues.
The accelerometer is the key piece of hardware here, waiting for the
specific handwashing pattern - which apparently adopts a number of different
methods, depending on who's actually doing the scrubbing.
Along with motion, the app listens for the sound of running water. Even
that's not enough, though - after all, eco sinks have become increasingly
popular, meaning that there's often less water sound to be listening for.
The sound of squishing soap takes care of that last bit. It's got a unique
enough audio signature so as to confirm that handwashing is taking place.
All the same, early usage doesn't seem to reflect years of work: 9to5Mac
testing has found detection to be rather unreliable. An alternative is to
have your Watch prompt you to
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/13/hourly-reminders-to-wash-hands-on-iphone-app
le-watch/> wash your hands hourly.
Could the Apple Watch go further, and help diagnose COVID-19? Apple says it
is not doing any of its own research in this area, but is supporting those
who are.
On the Watch front specifically, it has opened remote usage for doctors
looking to monitor patients' ECG readings without risking exposure to the
virus for either party. Apple currently makes no claims about the Watch's
potential for helping to diagnose the virus, however. 'While we haven't
studied specifically how Apple Watch can track COVID, we're happy to support
the research the medical community is doing. We really support their
initiatives by enabling our colleagues in the space, and we're excited to
see what they learn,' Apple's VP of Health, Sumbul Ahmad Desai, tells
TechCrunch.
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