Fitbit

sustainable redesign

Context

COURSE: Sustainable Design; HCDE coursework

TIMELINE: September-December 2024

TOOLS: Figma & Miro

ASSIGNMENT:

Choose a product you would like to redesign to be more sustainable. Execute a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment to determine which phase contributes the most CO2 to the planet. Redesign this product within that phase to be more sustainable.

Meet The Team

Olivia Cowan

Research & Design Lead

Anika

App Design

Oskar

App Design

Cindy

App Research

The Product

Fitbit Ace LTE

A new Google Fitbit product launched in June 2024, targeted for children aged 7-12.

Lifecycle assessment

  • Our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) revealed that manufacturing is the most environmentally harmful stage in the Fitbit Ace LTE’s life cycle, contributing 84% of its total carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Fitbit Ace LTE Product Environmental Report (Google, 2024). This insight led us to focus on eliminating the manufacturing of the separate device entirely. By transferring the Fitbit Ace LTE’s software to the existing Fitbit Charge 5, we could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Google’s “zero waste to landfill” certification goals. This approach would also cut down on disposal waste by removing the need for the standalone Ace LTE product. 

Impact assessment

  Fitbit Ace LTE produced annually: 200,000 units

  Fitbit Charge produced annually: 6,600,000 units

This impact assessment outlines the environmental benefits of redesigning the Fitbit Ace LTE by integrating its software into the Fitbit Charge 5, thereby eliminating the production of a standalone device.

  Annual CO₂ Emissions from Manufacturing

(Fitbit Charge + Fitbit Ace LTE)

1,198.7 tons CO₂

  Projected Annual CO₂ Emissions without Fitbit Ace LTE

(Manufacturing)

1,170.7 tons CO₂

  Percentage Reduction in Annual CO₂ Emissions with Redesign

2.34% Reduced

While the 2.34% reduction may appear modest, it translates to the elimination of 28.0 tons of CO₂ emissions annually from manufacturing the Fitbit Ace LTE at its current production rate, setting a significant precedent for reducing environmental impact in wearable technology.

  • Given the recent launch of the Fitbit Ace LTE, precise sales data for the past year is unavailable. For this assessment, we referenced historical sales figures from the first year of regular Fitbit devices to approximate the environmental impact of the Ace LTE. Based on this estimate, we gauged potential CO₂ emissions, as reflected in this Statista report.

    This approach assumes that discontinuing the production of the Fitbit Ace LTE would significantly curb future CO₂ emissions, considering the environmental costs of manufacturing and subsequently, disposal. By removing the need to produce an additional device line, we can meaningfully lower projected lifecycle emissions, reduce waste, and reinforce a proactive commitment to sustainability in product development, setting a strong precedent for eco-conscious decisions across the industry.

Research Questions

ONE

How long do users make use of their Fitbit products?

Knowing how long people use Fitbit products helps us understand why they continue or stop using them. By discovering why kids might stop using the children's Fitbit, we can improve its design and features to fit their changing needs. This will also help us find the best battery life to meet user expectations and habits.

TWO

How much do the parents value their kids using a health tracking device?

Knowing how long people use Fitbit products helps us understand why they continue or stop using them. By discovering why kids might stop using the children's Fitbit, we can improve its design and features to fit their changing needs. This will also help us find the best battery life to meet user expectations and habits.

THREE

How do users typically dispose of their health tracking device?

Knowing how long people use Fitbit products helps us understand why they continue or stop using them. By discovering why kids might stop using the children's Fitbit, we can improve its design and features to fit their changing needs. This will also help us find the best battery life to meet user expectations and habits.

Research methodology

We interviewed parents and children to gather insights for our research. All participants had used a health tracking device and met the study's criteria. We will ask for permission to record the conversations, which will happen over the phone or Zoom, lasting around 15 minutes each.

Interview Findings

In addition to the LCA, user interviews provided critical insights into the design process.

Parents and Children Highly Value Customizable Features

Parents expressed a strong preference for greater control over their child’s wearable device, including the ability to manage accessible features.

Disposal Habits

Many users admitted to storing old devices in drawers rather than recycling or discarding them. This behavior reinforced our belief that integrating the Ace LTE software into the Charge 5 could eliminate waste from unused devices. 

Parents’ Willingness to Invest in Longer-lasting Devices

This willingness to invest was our most pivotal interview insight. However, users often upgrade their devices before they become unusable. This finding solidified our decision to focus on a software centered redesign rather than simply extending the device’s lifespan. By shifting to a software-based solution, we address both user preferences and environmental concerns.

Addressing the PROBLEM

Our team chose to redesign the Fitbit Ace LTE, a new product launched in June 2024, targeted at children aged 7-12.

Instead of continuing production of a separate device, we proposed integrating the kid-friendly features of the Fitbit Ace LTE into an existing model, the Fitbit Charge 5. This approach eliminates the need for a new, single-use product, reducing waste and excess CO2 emissions associated with manufacturing. By leveraging the Charge 5’s proven design and infrastructure, we can offer a more sustainable, cost-effective solution while still providing children with a fun, engaging, and user-friendly experience.

Fitbit ACE LTE

Key components

Redesigned Fitbit Ace LTE Interface

Integrating the child-friendly Fitbit Ace LTE interface into the existing Fitbit Charge 5 would allow for a seamless user experience for kids, featuring engaging visuals, simplified navigation, and enhanced parental controls—all within the proven framework of the Fitbit Charge 5.

New Mobile App

This app would empower parents to monitor and manage their children’s activity levels, goals, and progress. It would also include customizable features tailored to parents’ and kids’ needs.

Fitbit Charge 5

Prototyping

Initial Interface Designs

User Testing

Due to a lack of time and resources, we conducted user testing with classmates. We determined changes we needed to make based on their evaluations….

Watch Interface

On the home screen, testers noted that scrolling sensitivity was overly sensitive, making navigation difficult. Button functionality was another concern, as testers found that clicking only worked on the text within buttons rather than the entire button area.

On the game page, the swipe-up gesture used to exit games was hard to perform, and the trophy system lacked clarity, particularly regarding how trophies were earned and tracked. Despite these issues, testers appreciated the integration of the game feature and its alignment with the actual Fitbit watch layout.


Parent App

Testers emphasized the need for clearer information about the features included in upgrades before agreeing to terms and conditions. They also highlighted the importance of providing guidance for parents on transitioning from the kids’ version of the interface to the regular Fitbit interface as their children grow older.

Suggestions included adding instructions for deleting the app after upgrading and including guides for installation, updates, and previews of the adult Fitbit interface. Some testers raised questions about whether the upgrade process was an operating system update and the purpose of the transition, further underscoring the need for clarity.

Design outcome

Design outcome

Fitbit Charge 5 Updated interface

update fitbit Ace LTE Parent App

  • WATCH INTERFACE

    The goal of the watch redesign is to make sure the features of the Fitbit Ace LTE fit within the the Fitbit Charge 5. This design includes all the same features, reformatted to fit inside the Charge 5.

    In terms of the update screens, once the parent authorizes the upgrade, the watch will guide the child through the process of upgrading their watch. It tells them to download the Fitbit app so they can start tracking their own exercise data instead of their parents overseeing it.

    Upon completing the upgrade, the interface will transition to the standard Fitbit Charge 5 layout, fully functioning as a regular Charge 5 device.

    APP INTERFACE

    Since the Fitbit Ace LTE was designed for children until 12 years old, the “upgrade” option becomes available to the parent once the child turns 12. At this time, the parent can initiate the upgrade process through the app when they feel their child is ready to transition to the regular Charge 5 interface.

    The upgrade begins with a screen that outlines the changes the child’s watch will undergo after the update. The parent must then agree to the "Terms and Conditions" before proceeding. For security, the parent is prompted to enter a password they set when initially setting up the app, ensuring that only they can access and authorize the upgrade.

    Once the upgrade is successfully completed, the parent is prompted to delete the app, as they will no longer have access to monitor their child’s usage.

  • Eliminate the production of the Fitbit ACE LTE, a child-focused device, by integrating its features into the Fitbit Charge 5 for a more sustainable product design.

Outcome & Learning

OUTCOME

This sustainable design project provided me with invaluable personal growth, blending my passion for sustainability with hands-on design experience. By analyzing the environmental impact of wearable technology, I honed my ability to conduct a life cycle analysis and develop creative solutions for reducing waste and CO2 emissions.

THINGS I LEARNED

Collaborating with my team to redesign the Fitbit Charge for kids taught me the importance of user-centered design and systems thinking, while deepening my commitment to creating products that balance innovation with environmental responsibility. This experience strengthened my problem-solving skills and reaffirmed my dedication to making a positive impact through thoughtful design.

TAKEAWAYS

Reflecting on the project, I would place a stronger emphasis on gathering user feedback earlier in the design process, particularly from the target demographic of kids and their parents. This would help ensure our design decisions more accurately address their specific needs and preferences.

Thanks to this project, I will prioritize integrating environmental considerations into the foundation of my design work, ensuring sustainability is not an afterthought but a guiding principle. Moving forward, I’ll continue applying systems thinking to understand the broader implications of design choices and strengthen my skills in collaboration and interdisciplinary problem-solving to create meaningful, user-centered, and environmentally responsible solutions.