Developers

Bluetooth® Smart Compatibility

"Secure, Simple, Everywhere". Bluetooth® Smart is a standardized, wireless communication technology that is optimized for low power consumption and based on open platform. It connects Polar devices and sensors to other devices. For consumers, it's a part of the Internet of Things, technology that makes the sensors, smart phones and smart watches speak to each other. For developers and manufacturers, it means new opportunities to offer consumers innovative and compatible sensors, apps and gym equipment that make their lives easier.

Polar is an active member of the non-profit Bluetooth® Special Interest Group, the Bluetooth SIG, and proud of making the world more connected. To ensure device compatibility, Polar uses Bluetooth profiles published by Bluetooth SIG. More information about Bluetooth profiles is available on the Bluetooth SIG website.

Getting Started

1. Go to Bluetooth developer's site at developer.bluetooth.org to check all Bluetooth Smart communication related specifications.
2. See also the operational diagrams, Bluetooth specifications and exmple codes at developer.polar.com
3. Start developing!

Google Fit and Apple HealthKit

Fitness platforms collect fitness data from various sources, and the end users can share the data with apps of their choosing. Polar is integrating into two main fitness platforms: Google Fit and Apple HealthKit. With the user’s permission, developers can easily get access to the user’s basic training data from Flow compatible products. Google Fit and Apple HealthKit fitness platforms are optimized solutions for application developers wanting to integrate training data into their application.

Main benefits

• General training data availability: We will make general training and activity data available in both fitness platforms: Google Fit and Apple HealthKit.
• No contracts with Polar required: Building on Polar data through Google Fit or Apple HealthKit doesn’t require a contract with Polar.
• Anyone can join: As there are no contracts required with Polar, anyone can start creating innovative apps using available training data.

Transferred data

Transferred data to Google Fit

Training and activity data can be transferred to Google Fit from Polar devices by connecting Polar Flow app for Android and Google Fit. Also Polar Beat app for Android can be connected directly with Google Fit.

From training sessions following data is transferred (from both Polar Flow app for Android and Polar Beat app for Android):

• Sport ID (in session field and as activity segment)
• Training session statistics
  • Calories total
  • Distance total
  • Speed avg, max, min
  • HR avg, max, min
  • Location bounding box
• Training session HR samples
• Training session distance samples
• Training session speed samples
• Training session route samples

In addition, Polar Flow app for Android transfers following data as well:

• Steps
• Weight

Transferred data to Apple HealthKit

Training and activity data can be transferred to Apple HealthKit from Polar devices by connecting Polar Flow app for iOS and Apple HealthKit. Also Polar Beat app for iOS can be connected directly with Apple HealthKit.

From training sessions following data is transferred (from both Polar Flow app for iOS and Polar Beat app for iOS):

• Sport ID (in session field and as activity segment)
• Training session statistics
  • Calories total
  • Distance total
• Training session HR samples

In addition, Polar Flow app for iOS transfers following data as well:

• Steps
• Weight
• Sleep analysis
• Energy expenditure (active energy / Basal energy (BMR))

Getting started

1. Go to developers sites at developers.google.com/fit or developer.apple.com/healthkit
2. Start developing!

Android Wear

Polar M600 is an Android Wear smartwatch with a 1.3-inch square display. The Android Wear platform gives developers the familiar Android tools and API's for fast application development. Polar M600 comes with Polar’s proprietary optical heart rate measurement technology. Besides heart rate monitoring, Polar M600 includes fast and accurate GPS functionality, allowing users to see their speed, distance, and route during a workout. Polar M600 also has many built-in sensors (like accelerometer, gyro, steps and gravity to mention a few) which may be used by your app. In addition, Polar M600 is water-resistant and robust for heavy outdoor use.

Polar M600 technical specification

Getting started with Android Wear development

Polar AccessLink

AccessLink is Polar’s proprietary application programming interface (API) that provides a direct information sharing link between the Polar ecosystem and your organization’s own data system. Joining our efforts gives you unparalleled opportunities to build on the great Polar products and services.

What AccessLink offers?

• Easy authentication: AccessLink supports oAuth 2.0 authentication protocol to link users between services.
• User data: Basic information about user (like name and gender), updatable data (like weight)
• Validated, high quality data from training sessions: Training summaries (e.g. total calories burned), training session samples (e.g. heart rates per every second), routes, sport profiles and Polar specific Smart Coaching features (e.g. Training Load)
• Validated, high quality data from daily activity: Daily and hourly summaries, like total calories burned (trainings and activity), steps and activity zones

Polar oAuth 2.0 process to connect services

Getting started

1. Fill out an AccessLink contact form at developer.polar.com
2. A local Polar representative will contact you and help with the process!

AccessLink data

Training data and daily activity data are transferred from the wrist unit to the specific ACL database and thus they can’t be edited by the end-users afterwards. User data can be modified by the end user.