In this interview, we talk with Polar’s Business Director, Tarja Määttä, and Håkan Sahlén from Fidesmo to learn more about Polar’s remarkable journey, the integration of Fidesmo Pay into their products, and the future of contactless services in the fitness industry.
A 50-Year Legacy of Innovation
Polar’s story began nearly five decades ago with a singular goal: improving fitness and health. Since then, they’ve introduced groundbreaking products, starting with the world’s first wireless heart rate monitor in 1982, effectively launching a whole new industry. From their humble beginnings, Polar has continuously pushed the boundaries of innovation, becoming a household name in wearable sports technology. Iconic Polar products, like the Polar H10 heart rate sensor, are widely regarded as the gold standard in heart rate measurement technology.
Their sports watches, sensors, and other products are supported by decades of research, with over 590 patents and more than 14,000 published studies. This foundation has allowed Polar to develop products that go beyond generic health advice, offering individualized solutions that cater to the unique needs of their users.
“Unlike others in the industry, Polar controls the entire development process for its products—from concept and research to product development, launch, and ongoing optimization—allowing us to enhance the entire product lifecycle,” says Tarja Määttä, Business Director at Polar. This holistic approach ensures that Polar products are continually refined, offering a superior experience to their customers, from professional athletes to fitness enthusiasts worldwide.
Meeting the Needs of a Diverse Customer Base
Polar’s customers are as diverse as their product offerings. They cater to a broad spectrum of users, from fitness beginners and professional athletes to individuals seeking a balanced lifestyle. Whether a user is analyzing performance data with their coach or seeking to live a happier, healthier life, Polar’s solutions are tailored to support everyone’s journey.
The Polar Flow app serves as the central hub where raw data captured by Polar’s devices and biosensing technology is transformed into actionable insights and personalized guidance that support their goals. “We remain committed to fostering a healthier society by promoting lifelong wellness through personalized guidance tailored to all sports and fitness enthusiasts,” explains Tarja Määttä.
Integrating Fidesmo Pay: A Natural Fit
Recognizing the value of convenience, Polar sought to integrate contactless payments into their fitness technology. The solution? Fidesmo Pay, a secure and flexible payment solution integrated directly into Polar’s wristbands. This approach allows users to leave their phones behind during workouts while still enjoying the convenience of contactless payments, such as purchasing a recovery shake after training.
“By integrating Fidesmo Pay into the Polar wristband, Polar customers can concentrate fully on their training sessions and workouts,” says Tarja Määttä. The integration has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, further enhancing Polar’s reputation for delivering user-centric innovations.
Why Polar is a Perfect Fit for Fidesmo
Fidesmo shares a similar commitment to innovation and user experience, which made Polar a natural partner. Håkan Sahlén, Fidesmo’s VP of Business Development, explains, “Polar’s leadership in the fitness and sports technology space, along with their seamless, user-centric approach to products, aligns perfectly with our mission. We both strive to provide convenient, high-quality solutions that enhance daily life for users—whether it’s tracking fitness data or making contactless payments.” This shared vision has created a successful collaboration that benefits users by providing added convenience through integrated payment services.
Onboarding Polar: The Process and Challenges
The onboarding process for Polar was smooth, thanks to their clear technical requirements and comprehensive control over product development. Håkan Sahlén elaborates, “Polar’s team is highly technical and knew exactly what they wanted. This clarity, combined with Fidesmo’s adaptable platform, allowed us to quickly provide a solution that fit their specific needs.”
Polar’s control over their products ensures a seamless integration process. Håkan adds, “Because they manage everything from concept to launch, there were minimal hurdles, just adaptations needed to fine-tune the experience.”
Limitations with Fidesmo Pay?
Although the Fidesmo platform is highly adaptable, there are still external factors to consider, such as regional payment method restrictions. However, Fidesmo works closely with its partners to minimize these limitations. Håkan Sahlén notes, “We strive to continuously expand our service reach and issuer network so that we can continue to grow the reach of Polars payment products.”
The Future of Contactless Services
Polar is constantly exploring new ways to improve their user experience. With the success of Fidesmo Pay, they are now looking at additional contactless services. “For example, we’re investigating enhancements and improvements on access control and secure pairing,” shares Tarja Määttä.
Looking ahead, Polar sees tremendous potential in the contactless services space and anticipates great developments that will further elevate the Polar customer experience.
Advice for Companies Considering Contactless Payments
For companies considering the integration of contactless payments, Polar offers clear advice: “We find Fidesmo to be a trusted partner, who’s been supporting Polar over the past years to find the optimal solution for Polar products. Based on the positive customer feedback we’ve received, we can encourage other companies to explore Fidesmo’s contactless payment solutions.”
Fidesmo shares this sentiment. Håkan Sahlén concludes, “We’re always focused on improving and adapting our services, and the success of our partnership with Polar shows how powerful contactless services can be in enhancing user experiences. For businesses looking to integrate similar solutions, choosing a trusted partner like Fidesmo, who understands both the technology and the needs of your customers is crucial.”
