WEARABLES HIT THE GYM
While we’ve seen many self-tracking products for endurance athletes and general activities, new consumer products are finally hitting the gym. A few weeks ago, Canadian start-up Push successfully funded its wearable sensor for measuring strength. The device is supposed to help optimizing workout efficiency and allows setting up training plans to be used via mobile app.
Another device for fitness enthusiasts comes from Skulpt which is currently running its campaign for a device to measure body fat and muscles. The Aim sensor measures the tissue at biceps, triceps, abs, and thigh and calculates an overall muscle score. It’s indiegogo campaign will be active for 40 more days, and has already raised most of its funding goal.
MOTOROLA PATENTS SKIN TATTOO
Motorola has been granted a patent for a skin tattoo that should be applied to the throat. The patent filing names it “a system and method (that) provides auxiliary voice input to a mobile communication device (MCD)“, and lists components such as a microphone, a transceiver and a power supply. The story first appeared on engadget and was then discussed controversially in the media. The technical information in the patent description is rather vague and does not clarify whether the „tattoo“ is meant to be implanted or worn on the skin. The patent filed suggests it “can also be embedded in a collar or band that would be worn around a user’s throat“, which implies its broad potential for future wearables from Motorola.
GOOGLE GLASS SDK AND NEW APPS
Google recently released its GDK, Glassware Development Kit to the public. Now developers can start developing apps for the much hyped wearable computer. In line with the GDK announcement google also presented some new apps, demonstrating the potential of its glasses. One of the simplest but most impressing of those apps is Word Lense. Activated via voice, it captures text such as traffic signs with the Glass camera and presents its translation in the display, thus having the potential to make traveling much easier. Praise for Google Glass also came from the music industry. Young Guru, sound engineer to the likes of Jay Z, recently demonstrated how he envisions using the technology for his work in the future. See his story in the Glass explorer video below.
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGIES AT MEDICA
World leading medical trade show and congress MEDICA recently took place in Dusseldorf, attracting experts from all over the world, and a huge success for the wearables industry as well. One of the top announcements was the Metria patch. The patch can be worn a whole week for a lifestyle assessment measuring activity, sleep and many other health related metrics. With eighteen exhibitors participating, including companies such as Withings and Evena, the Wearable Technologies’ WTshow gave a comprehensive overview on wearables for the medical industry. Get in touch with us if you want to join Wearable Technologies at the next MEDICA or the upcoming ISPO and see more impressions from the WTshow at MEDICA in this post.
Image: Push
