Alexa Integration on Wearables

The integration of Alexa voice assistant across multiple wearable platforms, including a built-in Alexa app on e-ink smartwatch models and the incorporation of Alexa - Wellness, i.e. Alexa Fitness feature, on the Wear OS 3.0 platform.

Company
Fossil Group
Release Date
2022
Scope
Voice assistant integration on wearables
Fossil Group

Background

The interesting difficulty presented by wearables lies in the challenge of reducing the physical size of the devices while simultaneously adding more features into them without sacrificing one of the most critical aspects: battery life. Integrating Alexa voice assistant into a small wristwatch also poses a similar question: how to maintain battery life while still optimizing the voice assistant experience on the compact device with a microphone and no speaker.

The Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatches feature a built-in Alexa watch app and Fossil custom skill. Touchscreen smartwatches powered with Wear OS 3.0+ include the Alexa Fitness feature, which combines Alexa's voice-powered capabilities with Fossil Wellness features.

Fossil Group

My Role

My responsibility involved leading the integration of Alexa into the Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatches and managing Alexa Fitness feature on Fossil Wellness watch app, which enables users to incorporate Alexa voice control and updates into their workout experience.

Specifically, I oversaw the Alexa watch app for the Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatches, including managing the setup process, handling in-app interactions with different attention states and error messages, and developing a custom Fossil skill that can be used across multiple supported models.

While the Alexa app for Fossil touchscreen smartwatches powered with Wear OS 3.0 is an independent app built and owned by the Alexa team, I was responsible for coordinating a collaborative feature called Alexa Fitness that allows users to manage their workouts and receive workout cues with Alexa. The feature is integrated within the Fossil Wellness watch app.

In addition to preparing all relevant product requirements, I was involved in the design process and copywriting, and served as the primary contact point between Fossil and the Alexa team throughout the project.

The Product

Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid smartwatches are the first of their kind to integrate Alexa. Since there was no pre-existing device category in Alexa certificate requirements that these watch models fit into, they stand out as a unique category, setting a precedent. These watch models feature an e-ink screen and no speaker, which limits the in-app interaction. Consequently, haptic feedback is crucial for conveying changes in attention states during interaction. Additionally, due to the watch's small battery size, the microphone cannot be always on to conserve battery life, meaning that users must press a button to activate Alexa listening. To improve the experience and make it really hands-free, consecutive one-hand gestures (tilt-to-wake then flick away) could be integrated.

Meanwhile, the Alexa Fitness feature on touchscreen smartwatches powered with Wear OS 3.0+ enables users to monitor and control their workouts without needing to look at or interact with the watch screen.

I managed and led the development of all features listed below:

1. Alexa watch app on Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatches:
  • Alexa setup
  • Alexa in-app interaction, including the handling of different attention states, single-turn and multi-turn dialogs
2. Alexa skill by Fossil (Fossil custom skill):
  • Workout intents
  • Do Not Disturb intents
  • Ring Phone intents
  • Wellness intents
  • Music / Volume control intents
  • (more to be added)

Each intents also come with a set of utterances and slots.

3. Alexa Fitness feature on Wear OS 3.0+:
  • Workout control: Start, stop, pause, resume workouts
  • Workout cues during live workout
  • Workout summary