On/off body detection is detecting whether a device is worn on the human body. This function can be implemented with Sensirion’s SHTW2 humidity sensors and offers various new uses. Smart features such as noise cancelling, wireless connectivity, and fitness tracking functions into headphones and other wearables is a hot topic in the industry.
If a headphone is taken off while connected, the sensor allows the smartphone to pause the music and put on a loud ringtone rather than just ringing via headphones. Furthermore, it enables smarter battery management according to the user’s individual needs. Besides headphones, the on/off body detection feature is also applicable for other battery-driven devices like wearable medical devices, VR goggles, smart watches, or fitness trackers.