Violet Plus by Ultra: UV Ray and Vitamin D Tracker

A wearable device (clip-on) that tracks an individual’s sun exposure, monitoring both exposure/overexposure to sun’s harmful rays and also monitoring vitamin D levels. It works in conjunction with app that not just reflects the information, but also allow uses to select their skin type. Henceforth, sun damage alerts/sunscreen reminders will be personalized to wearer. It will let you know if you need to top up, a distinct advantage if you’re prone to vitamin D deficiencies.

In conjunction with the app

 

The device is a miniature clip-on, thus it is immensely portable and convenient

It can also be used without the app – the device will light up to indicate how long more the user has before being sun burnt, plus it uses vibrations to remind the users to apply sunscreen when the time is up.

How it works

Pros

  • Very lightweight and convenient
  • Seamlessly integrated to app
  • Differentiate from other UV trackers – with added vitamin D tracker
  • Future of beauty wearables

Cons

  • Accuracy of the device not as proven

Suggestions

  • Fitness activity trackers/Smart watches can incorporate this technology, as wearers who exercise outdoors might want to be aware of their sun exposure
  • Ultra might want to look into other functions so that it is not so specific to UV – e.g. anti-pollution detector

Atomic Bands is the first kinetic gaming wearables that uses dual motion sensor bands and Bluetooth. Users are not constrained by space, they have complete freedom of movement as there is no need to be within the perimeters of a room or camera. A step further from typical fitness band trackers in the market, as it analyzes correct form and movement quality – it can be used to teach dance and kungfu even.

Atomic bands design

These devices bring gaming to a whole new level as it merges fitness and play, and it is highly physical. Moreover, it can be highly educational in allowing players to pick up skills like dance or kungfu. Let’s say the player is interested to learn dance. Wearing these bands on the arms or ankles, the user can operate this alongside with an motion sensor app Funky Dance. The app will touch on the basics of street dance for example shuffling, popping – syncing basic movement with rhythm. The app features world-class dancers like Jardy Santiago. The player just needs to follow the screen and the bands are able to track the movement, providing feedback if the movement is correct. Feedback comes in the form of haptic feedback, LED lights and OLED display.

Advanced motion tracking

Moreover, this provides a platform for movement artists to create art through their movement. This product is also integrated with generative art platform and thus dancers can “paint canvases” digitally through their movement.

Pros

  • Breaks boundaries of Augmented reality / VR gaming, all axis is covered through this band
  • Fitness-based gaming – This is very good in a sedentary society we live in today, as it promotes play through fitness
  • Learning of skills – Being a dancer myself, I find it interesting and great that we can learn through digital means an at the same time gain feedback even if learning by oneself

Cons

  • Still limited as to how accurately and how much this device can teach a user skills like dance/kungfu

Suggestions 

There are definitely many ways this device can develop into. It definitely brings something new to the fitness wearable market, as it measures quality of movement plus it functions as a gaming device. Games can start to explore this field of wearables and thus providing an even more immersive VR gaming experience.

Looking deceivingly just like a device sticking at the neck, this device can do much more. Thync’s Relax Pro sits around the neck, sending mini brain massages that help individuals de-stress and sleep better. Through nerve stimulation – electrodes that are safe, low-voltage signals – these are sent to the brain’s adrenaline system. The nervous system then instructs the body to relax, helping the user unwind.

Too stressed after a long day? Thync’s Relax Pro uses neurostimulation to relieve stress and encourage well-rested sleep.

The device is paired with a smartphone. Users can select “Deep Sleep” or “Deep Relax” mode. During the session, users are able to customize the intensity of their session. When used 10 mins before sleep, it is known to help the brain reach a peaceful state and thus enhance quality of sleep. It is recommended to use the device for 4-6 weeks to see results to long-term sleep quality.

The 2 different modes that the user can select.

Thync spent at least 5 years to develop this product, with a long series of studies (e.g. 1300 nights of monitored sleep). This is considered a great breakthrough in the wearable market.

Pros 

  • This proposes a alternative solution to stimulants like sleeping drugs and coffee, thus users need not be reliant on stimulants anymore. Dietary lifestyle is not affected with this device
  • Stress is one of the most worrying aspects in today’s fast-paced society – an on-the-go device to help individuals relax as and when is very beneficial in improve overall quality of lives
  • Moreover, it is fully customisable – one can adjust the intensity and select different modes – something impossible to do with stimulants

Cons

  • This device is not necessarily the safest for everyone. As it does make use of electrical pulses, it is not beneficial for people with existing medical conditions like stroke, seizures or pregnant ladies
  • The design while already minimalistic, might not be the most comfortable as it is hard

Suggestions

  • This might be more beneficial if it was a softer wearable – perhaps something that seamlessly sticks to the skin to improve comfort
  • Perhaps Thync can look into sleepwear, garment or even fashion accessories (choker). I believe many people would want to use this device comfortably and inconspicuously.
  • A line of hearables can be looked into as well

 

All in all, this is a wonderful device and groundbreaking in the field of wearables. Stress wearables are very much needed in our fast-paced society where many are stressed and lack a good night rest daily. This can definitely pushed further – who knows even one can an implant?

 

 

Meet Kuri, the Home Robot also marketed as a robot nanny that serves both as a security camera and entertainment companion to the children in the house.

https://www.heykuri.com/living-with-a-personal-robot

Smart Homes are increasingly popular, with a great consumer demand for smart devices from smart TVs, home appliances and now, smart robot helpers. The development of Kuri is a huge step forward in the relatively new field of smart home technology. Friendly robot helpers used to only be a fantasy, existing only in movies like Baymax in Big Hero 6. However, now it is turning into reality with the invention of Kuri. Designed like a Pixar character, Kuri takes on an adorable appearance and will be easily endeared by family members. Its appearance is not its only selling point, but it has many smart features as well – it functions as a security camera, virtual assistant, companion and mobile entertainment device. It is constantly updated with new technology with the existence of a mobile app to install updates.

Design

Kuri was designed with natural interaction in mind. By its physical appearance representing a likable Pixar movie character, people will feel more comfortable with it. Moreover, its behaviour is designed to be very affectionate and calming as well – the way its head tilts to look at its owner, the ability for it to “blink”, the adorable body shape, the way it moves, its inviting gestures and sounds – all of these choices are to make the owner feel at ease.

Kuri is like a child’s companion

 

Features 

Kuri is an intelligent robot with features of a security camera, virtual assistant, companion and mobile entertainment device. As an crossover as a companion and entertainment device, Kuri can read to the child a bedtime story, or it can play podcasts or play games with the owner. It can also take photos for the family, in which this camera acts as surveillance if no one is at home. Its intelligence is demonstrated through its ability to adapt and respond smartly – it has sensors to recognize components in the house thus it will not bump into obstacles, plus it has voice recognition to recognize/respond to the owner. Lastly, the existence of a companion iOS/Android app allows Kuri to be customizable, also allowing its firmware to be kept updated.

It even has its own quirks – it is able to capture candid moments of family members when it deems fit, plus it can dance along to the music that the members play as well.

Video on the Making of Kuri, along with its features

Components: 

Capacitive touch sensor on its head – It looks at you affectionately when you tap its head

Camera behind its “eyes” – Serves as a security camera, but also a HD-camera that performs well under low-light conditions

Mapping sensors – Allows the robot to navigate around the house seamlessly, generating a map recognition of the house and recognizing the obstacles in its path

Four-directional microphone – With voice recognition and sensor to react to strange noises at home, or the owner’s voice

Rotary Motors – Used to generate gestures but more importantly, the wheels at the base of the robot enables it to travel around the house, plus it is suited for many kinds of floor from carpet to gravel.

Processors – It has processors to adapt to voice recognition

Charging pad – Kuri automatically travels to the charging pad to take a short “power nap” when the battery is low

 

Kuri can find its own way to the charging pod to take a “power nap”

 

Analysis

Pros- As mentioned from above, Kuri has many fascinating features, breaking boundaries as a smart appliance. It is one of the world’s first robot helper, functioning beyond a utility tool but also a companion. There are many pros in this devices.

Cons- This technology is however still rather new, there are definitely bound to have moments where the robot react in a non-ideal manner- but this is difficult to gauge as the product has not been launched officially.

Also, Kuri is unable to do any physical work. Ability to perform physical household work is a huge plus factor to have.

Cost is definitely a factor that deters consumers, in which price competitiveness only improves when technology becomes more developed.

 

Suggestions

Kuri can have a healthcare system, adapted from Apple fitness apps e.g. remind 5-a-day meall plan, users can key in their nutrition/exercise plan and Kuri can serve as reminder or checker. It could cater towards to elderly/children of the home too e.g. alarm reminder for medicine, serving medicine to elderly.

The next huge step for Kuri could potentially be developing its ability to perform physical household tasks.

Overall, this is a wonderful device with many potential development that could allow it to break more boundaries in smart homes.