WT | Wearable Technologies interviewed the creators of a wearable wellness device, UpRight. They will be speaking more about their development process at our San Francisco conference this July 9-10, 2015! For a sneak peek at what they are offering the wearable industry take a quick look at our interview.
- Can you briefly explain what UpRight is, and the motivation behind creating it?
UpRight is a wearable that trains you to sit and stand upright. It comfortably attaches to your lower back and gently vibrates every time you slouch, reminding you to correct your posture. Through the UpRight app you can gain access to your personalized training program as well as your posture statistics and analytics. The idea came from my mother. She is a horrible ‘sloucher’ and suffers from back pain as a result. I wanted to develop something discreet, simple, and intuitive to help her fix her posture in a natural and effective way.
- What activities are UpRight users capable of doing while wearing the device?
UpRight was made specifically with the intention of fitting in seamlessly to your everyday activities; meaning that you can carry on with your day as you usually would, but with UpRight on your back, you can be assured that you are not slouching. UpRight is most effective when worn in the office while sitting. Maintaining proper posture while seated is the best way to ensure perfect posture no matter what you do.
- How has your involvement in WT Innovation World Cup alongside your Indiegogo Campaign help develop your success?
Being a part of the WT Innovation World Cup was a great experience for us! We were humbled to be selected among so many wonderful startups. It was amazing to get to know so many new technologies and realize how progressed the world is. We were exposed to incredible sensors used in new and innovative ways, and this experience was very meaningful for us. We’re excited to be among the next waves of wearables, and the possibilities are truly endless!
- What is your advice to other start-up companies that use crowd-funding to kick their business into high gear?
The most important thing is to realize that a successful startup campaign is only the beginning of your journey. Having a great campaign is very important, but shouldn’t be mistaken for success of your company. The road is long ahead, and a good crowd funding campaign can really help you stay focused on what your core business is, and how this interacts with what your users want. It is also important to understand that most of the work for a campaign is done before you launch the campaign. In that sense, the hard part is even before launching, making sure that when you launch, there’s already a community supporting your campaign. I think crowd funding is a great way to start a business, and the community it creates is absolutely unparalleled.
- Lastly, what is your favorite wearable product?
I am a huge fan of wearable technologies, so it’s hard to pick just one, but if I must, I’ve got to say, I love Fitbit. I think user experience lies in the center of wearables, and no one does this better than Fitbit! I admire their simplicity and the true value they continue to bring to their users. They have some great products and an amazing app, and this combination is why I love what they do.
