How We Use AI for Your Health | Made by Google Podcast S9E6

TL;DR: Google released a brand-new Health app that integrates multi-source health data, launched a screenless tracker called Fitbit Air, and built an active, personalized health coach based on Gemini: Google Health Coach. ## From Unmanned Helicopters to Health Tracking: Andy Abramson’s Perspective Andy Abramson, Senior Director of Product Management, worked on unmanned helicopter development before joining Google. He points out the similarities in complexity: a helicopter requires forty thousand parts working in sync to stay stable in the air, while a tracker like Fitbit Air relies on miniaturized technology working perfectly together on the wrist to deliver reliable health insights. ## The New Google Health App: Consolidating All Health Data ### Design Philosophy: A Comprehensive Window into Your Health The new Google Health app brings together all the best features of the Fitbit app, redesigned and reimagined to offer users a more holistic view of their health, and serves as the home base for Google Health Coach. The team noticed that many people use multiple apps, devices, and tools to track health data — even within Google itself. So Health app brings data from Fitbit, Pixel Watch, all other apps and devices, and even medical records into one place, presenting the full picture of your health journey. ### Not Limited to Fitbit: Apple Watch Can Also Connect You don’t need a Fitbit or Pixel device to use Google Health. While it works best with Fitbit, users can integrate data from Peloton, strength training apps, and more. For the first time, Google Health can read data from Apple Health Kit (including Apple Watch and other wearables), consolidating everything into a complete picture. ### How to Decide if It’s Worth It: User Research Is Key The team uses multiple signals to decide: conducting user research, talking to real users, and showing prototypes. They quickly turn ideas, models, and sketches into prototypes, show them to users, get positive feedback, and the team themselves are users of the product. These signals validate the direction, and then they iterate and develop step by step. ## Fitbit Air: The Return of a Screenless Tracker ### Why a Screenless Design? Although screens can display data directly, back then over 70% of people were still not using any tracker or smartwatch. The team thought about how to develop a product for a broader audience, addressing comfort, battery life, and simplicity. After more than five years of iteration, they created Fitbit Air — an ultra-light, screenless tracker focused on core user needs. ### Product Details: Band + Pebble Module Fitbit Air consists of two parts: a band and a computing module called the “Pebble.” The two snap together easily and are secured on the wrist with Velcro. It features classic Fitbit functions like 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2, resting heart rate, all packed into a tiny device. The team is most proud of its versatility: you can quickly swap bands to switch from sports to work scenarios. ### Open Source Specs: Encouraging Users to Make Their Own Bands Google released the specs for the band, including dimensions and snap tension, so users can create custom bands. This move was inspired by user creativity on Instagram and Reddit (e.g., modifying a Fitbit band with a mechanical watch). The team quickly published the specs within a week, riding the community enthusiasm and expecting more creations. ### Target Audience: Designed for Everyone The design goal is to make the product so comfortable that users forget it’s there. Users don’t have to be tech experts or need all the features of a smartwatch; just a one-minute setup out of the box and they have a health coach on their wrist. ### Engineering Challenges and Testing Process Squeezing technology into the Pebble while keeping it waterproof and resistant to daily wear was a huge challenge. The team first conducted internal testing on a small scale to ensure basic functionality, then expanded to thousands of people for pre-launch testing to uncover potential issues across various usage scenarios. They also worked with clinical teams, performance consultant Stephen Curry and his team, and a consumer health advisory panel to ensure the product meets clinical and athlete needs. ### The Role of the Expert Panel The expert panel played a key role in development: not only testing the product but also providing consultation on complex issues (like how to guide users in creating fitness plans or handling injuries). The team relied on these experts to make the right decisions. ## Google Health Coach: Your 24/7 Personalized Health Coach ### Building the Foundation: From Insights Explorer Experiment to Preview Two years ago, the team launched an experimental feature called Insights Explorer, exploring how to combine data with Gemini. They invited Fitbit users to try it and ask questions, learning from that. Then they released a preview to further understand what users expect from a brand-new product. ### Core Capability: An Active Coach Based on Gemini Google Health Coach is built on Gemini, providing personalized insights, adaptive guidance, and is available 24/7. After collaborating with Stephen Curry and other experts, the team realized that athletes and top performers have a whole team of experts (medical, sleep, fitness, nutrition) — and with advances in Gemini, that support can be offered to everyone. Users have that expert team in their pocket or on their wrist, helping them perform at their best. ### Real Experience: From “Not Good at Running” to Becoming a Better Runner Andy shared his own experience: he wanted to become a better runner, so he told the coach in natural language, “I’m not good at running, I want to get better.” The coach helped him create a plan, gradually increase weekly mileage, and answered questions about cadence, running form, frequency, etc. In the end, he really became a better runner — running is still hard, but he now knows more and enjoys it. ### Proactive Briefings: More Than Just Data Listing Unlike many AI health tools, Google Health Coach is very proactive. It draws inspiration from the popular “Morning Briefing” feature on Pixel Watch: each morning it helps users make sense of all their data, telling them what really matters — like sleep quality, readiness, and today’s suggestions. ## Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jBT5mlomoE