Embedded electronics and app for watches
The Zurich-based start-up Aramedes has set itself the goal of building watches that combine traditional watchmaking craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology to offer functionality that would not be possible purely mechanically. So in addition to the mechanical movement, an electronic component is also to be built into the watch.
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Situation
The demands on electronics in watches are very high: they must be extremely small, light, energy-saving and reliable, deeply integrated with the mechanics and optimally networked with the smartphone.
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Solution SCS
For the watches in the Aramedes Mecca Collection, SCS developed all the electronics, from the hardware to the firmware, as well as a matching smartphone app. The watches offer up to three additional functions that support Muslims in practising their religion.
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Added value
Thanks to our broad expertise, we were able to support Aramedes in all aspects of the design, offer a customised system as well as a matching smartphone app "from a single source", and implement the project efficiently.
Project description
The watches in the Aramedes Mecca Collection offer up to three additional functions that support Muslims in the practice of their faith. Sub-dials at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock show the direction of Mecca, daily prayer times and, for the fasting month of Ramadan, sunrise and sunset. At Dubai Watch Week 2021, Aramedes successfully launched the brand and its products to the global public.
In this project, SCS was responsible for the electronics and firmware in the clock, as well as for the development of a smartphone app. Thanks to its many years of experience and broad expertise, SCS was able to offer a fully comprehensive solution. Thanks to the close cooperation with Aramedes, this project was implemented efficiently and successfully.
SCS collaborated on the mechanical-electrical co-design. Thanks to the low-power design, the clock has a battery life of several years with a single button cell. Thanks to the rigid-flex PCB, it was possible to achieve a minimal height and weight while maintaining a very good feel, which was a challenge in the confined space.
Embedded software for the integrated Arm Cortex-M4 processor was developed for the electronic functions. In addition to controlling the hands, it also handles the signal processing for compass calibration and compensation. In order to be able to conveniently configure and use all the functions of the watch, SCS has also developed an app that is connected to the watch via Bluetooth (BLE 4.0) and provides it with all the necessary information such as location and time.
