OpenHAK Is a Completely Open Source Fitness Tracker Launching on Kickstarter

A large portion of you are probably wearing a fitness tracker right now as you read this. They’re a great way to collect data on your physical activity and ensure that you’re getting regular exercise. But while basic fitness trackers are very affordable, you’re almost always stuck with proprietary hardware and software. That usually means you’re using an app you have no control over, and which could even be harvesting your data. That’s why the open source OpenHAK was developed, and now it’s launching on Kickstarter.

OpenHAK is, at first glance, just a very simple fitness tracker. The basic model is just a bare PCB and a wrist band, and doesn’t even have a display. But the beauty of the OpenHAK is in how it can be modified. All of the design files and code are available, so you can customize it however you want. That also applies to the OpenHAK’s app, so you can be sure that your data and privacy are protected. At launch, there are already options to add a display or vibration motor, and the community is likely to develop more add-ons in the future.

OpenHAK is built around a Simblee BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) module, which is no longer being produced. Luckily, the OpenHAK team purchased a large quantity of the modules a couple of years ago. The other major components include a Bosh BMI160 step counter and a Maxim MAX30101 heart rate sensor. Those are broken out through the PCB, and there are available pins to add on additional hardware. The OpenHAK has already been tested as a badge, so supply and manufacturing shouldn’t be an issue.

If you want an OpenHAK fitness tracker, the Kickstarter campaign will be running until September 6th. A single OpenHAK, with a 3D-printed case, battery, and watchband, costs $100. Rewards are expected to be delivered in December.