Google’s AI Health Coach Replaces Fitbit App & Launches May 19

Besides the new Fitbit Air, which was also introduced, Google also announced earlier today that it is releasing an AI-powered health coach as a subscription service and rebranding its Fitbit app as Google Health in addition to unveiling the new Fitbit Air, a Whoop-like fitness band.

In order to capitalise on the 2021 acquisition of Fitbit, which saw the tech giant venture into fitness trackers to complement its more versatile Android smartwatches, Google is making the Health app a key component of its fitness strategy.

The new Google Health Coach tends to provide users with individualized insights by utilizing Google’s Gemini AI to function as a fitness coach, sleep specialist, and health and wellness advisor. According to the technology corporation, the service has been in public preview since last year and has been improved in response to customer comments.

It is said to go on sale later this month, May 19th, the day the new Fitbit Air goes on sale. Google also claims that the Health app will be accessible globally, as it will be available to over 200 countries as part of the Google Health Premium membership. The Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) subscription, which costs $9.99 per month or $99 annually, will be included with the AI fitness coaching service. Google Health Premium will be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers at no additional cost.

The health coach service, according to Google, is personalized for the user through an onboarding process where every user will describe their daily routine, their health goals, the type of exercise equipment they have access to, any injuries the coach should be aware of, and other aspects of their lifestyle.

These details will then be used by the coach to develop individualized advice and insights.

In order to modify and update their personal information or objectives at any moment, users also have the opportunity to interact with the coach in natural language, that is, languages that are known to every user. Additionally, they can dictate to it or share by uploading files or photographs for automatic recognition to record their workouts, meals, and health information.

From the Google Health app’s Today page, the coach will be reachable. The business has pointed out that any insights the coach offers won’t be only a synopsis; rather, they will incorporate data from a variety of sources, including environment, nutrition, cycle tracking, exercise and sleep measurements, and U.S. medical records (if access is granted). Cycle tracking, diet, and mental health capabilities have all been updated for the health coach, according to Google. 

The Fitness tab’s exercise recommendations and advice, the Sleep tab’s sleep tracking, and also the Health tab’s summary of your metrics are just a few of the areas of the Google Health app where the AI-powered coach is being integrated.

Google’s health coach, according to the firm, will first be accessible to a limited number of Fitbit and Pixel Watch customers, with support for additional devices to follow. For users to get started, though, every user is privy to downloading the Google Health app. When the coach is ready for them, people without a Fitbit or Google Pixel Watch will be alerted, though Google did not specify when. The service will also be available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.

It was developed using Google’s SHARP framework in collaboration with clinicians and athletes like Stephen Curry. The AI-powered health system will be complemented by the $100 screenless Fitbit Air wearable, which focuses on background health tracking.