Hello! I am doing a research project where I need to track biometric and activity data 24/7 from several research subjects, and I am struggling to understand whether a Garmin watch could meet my requirements. Questions: Is it possible to easily collect data from other research subjects if I, and only I, apply for the SDK access? Does the " Customizable Data Logging" have a GUI where research subjects can export their data, or do you have to fetch the data from the API, or how does exactly this customizable data logging work? From the overview over the SDK I see that the Customizable Data Logging sensors are more or less what I need. However, I am afraid that it will require a lot of work from both me and the research subjects to start tracking, and also to receive the data in a nice format afterwards. Thank you so much for any help! Miriam

Data Logging for Research Projects

Hello!

I am doing a research project where I need to track biometric and activity data 24/7 from several research subjects, and I am struggling to understand whether a Garmin watch could meet my requirements.

Questions:

Is it possible to easily collect data from other research subjects if I, and only I, apply for the SDK access?
Does the "Customizable Data Logging" have a GUI where research subjects can export their data, or do you have to fetch the data from the API, or how does exactly this customizable data logging work?

From the overview over the SDK I see that the Customizable Data Logging sensors are more or less what I need. However, I am afraid that it will require a lot of work from both me and the research subjects to start tracking, and also to receive the data in a nice format afterwards.

Thank you so much for any help!

Miriam

Top Replies

li2niu over 3 years ago +1
8239716 said:
- Is it possible to easily collect data from other research subjects if I, and only I, apply for the SDK access?
With permissions Communications it is easy to use https interface to receive…

All Replies

0 li2niu over 3 years ago

8239716 said:
Is it possible to easily collect data from other research subjects if I, and only I, apply for the SDK access?

With permissions Communications it is easy to use https interface to receive the biometrics from users' watch. But remember GDPR.

8239716 said:
From the overview over the SDK I see that the Customizable Data Logging sensors are more or less what I need. However, I am afraid that it will require a lot of work from both me and the research subjects to start tracking, and also to receive the data in a nice format afterwards.

Just build your customized data straucture.

0 flocsy🤠 over 3 years ago

I am participating in a research project, and at the beginning I had to download their app, and connect it with Garmin Connect (similar as how you can connect let's say Strava) So I would guess that if you need the more basic data than this would be the best way to go.

0 8239716 over 3 years ago in reply to flocsy🤠

Thanks! Unfortunately I need 24/7 continuous data, with more raw data then Garmin connect has, so the Garmin Connect is not enough. I have applied for the Companion SDK. Do you know how long it takes for the application to be replied?

0 flocsy🤠 over 3 years ago in reply to 8239716

R U sure? Customizable data logging is also in the standard SDK. It sounds like if you only want to log 24/7 then you don't need a companion app.

0 8239716 over 3 years ago in reply to flocsy🤠

Yeah thats true, the standard SDK is sufficient for logging. It was my fault I was not clear: I also want to implement a real-time system long-term, which was why I applied for companion.

Does the standard SDK not require application to Garmin? I was under the impression I still had to apply for access.

0 flocsy🤠 over 3 years ago in reply to 8239716

I don't know, but from the link you sent looks like you still do. However R U sure you want the companion api? According to the docs it looks like that is to collect data during an activity. If you'll run 24/7 then this doesn't make sense (also the battery probably would not last 1 day in an activity)

0 8239716 over 3 years ago in reply to flocsy🤠

I appreciate the help, because I had not noticed the sentence "need access to real-time health metrics and sensor streams for episodic sampling". So you are right, for real-time streaming it is probably required to be inside of an activity.

But don't they (standard vs companion) have the same Customizable Data Logging-capabilities? From the table in the overview they are identical, but I do not know how it works in practice.