September 16, 2014

Using Arduino to monitor FitBit activity data

Users of the wearable activity monito FitBit may or may not be that enthusiastic with regards to meeting their daily step or movement target. For some of us it's easy to put off the exercise and work on other things instead. However Joe Flasher has found some synergy between FitBit and Arduino by describing how to extract activity data from the FitBit servers.

Once this data has been received, it is sent to a waiting Arduino connected via usb with some python code - at which point it's up to you as to what can be done. For example if you haven't been active for a period of time - anything from a blinking LED to a car horn could be activated to get you moving again. Doing so is relatively easy and would make a great project for the desk-bound person who could use more exercise.

The only catch is that your FitBit need to be able to sync automatically when required. Nevertheless for more information and code, check out Joe's github page. And for more, we're on facebookGoogle+, and twitter - so follow us for news and product updates as well. 

Have you been reading about Arduino and would like to understand more so you can work with projects like the example above, but not sure where to start? Then order one of our Experimenter's Kit for Arduino: 

The package includes a wide variety of parts, sensors and modules including: a servo motor, lights, buttons, switches, sound, sensors, breadboard, wires and more. Furthermore a Freetronics Eleven Arduino-compatible board is included to make this an extensive hobby experimenter, inventor and starter kit. 

However we don't leave you alone to figure it all out, included is a great project and instruction booklet, plus access to a supporting web page and software examples. In other words - this is everything you need to get started for a fun range of electronics and Arduino related projects! So to get started or for more information and to order, check out the product page.

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