Over the last two months, crowdfunding campaigns have launched for numerous smartwatches and fitness wearables, as well as a number of more health-specific devices. These devices purport to help track eating behavior, heart health, dental health, sleep, and even cancer detection. Some devices aim to track health holistically, and the list even includes a smart water bottle meant to help users track hydration.
Read on for a round-up of 13 new projects looking for backers on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
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Over the last two months, crowdfunding campaigns have launched for numerous smartwatches and fitness wearables, as well as a number of more health-specific devices. These devices purport to help track eating behavior, heart health, dental health, sleep, and even cancer detection. Some devices aim to track health holistically, and the list even includes a smart water bottle meant to help users track hydration.
Read on for a round-up of 13 new projects looking for backers on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
Ear-O-Smart has a new proposition for the tracker market: tiny stealthy activity trackers embedded in earrings. The placement also allows the device to monitor heart rate. The Canadian startup explains the appeal like this:
“The wearable market is expanding quickly, but the problem is that your options are very limited; most fitness monitors are limited to wrist-based electronics. Would you want to wear a bulky wrist monitor to a party or on a date? We think no.”
The earrings will run on a coin cell battery and cost $150 for a pair. The company is also offering a DIY kit at the same price that lets users customize the design of the earrings while keeping the tracking component inside. Ear-O-Smart has raised $8,372 Canadian of a $30,000 goal so far.
Miiya is a colorful, durable tracker watch for children that helps encourage them to get their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. On the one hand, the device offers gamification to encourage kids to run — they earn gold stars for completing activity goals and can use those to unlock new missions. An avatar in the app also gradually transforms into a superhero as kids reach their goals.
Additionally, though, the watch transmits data back to parents, allowing them to view an activity report and to be alerted if the child gets outside of a predetermined radius, like leaving a playground or yard. Miiya has raised $11,805 so far, out of a goal of $50,000.
Mira is a wristworn tracker in the form of a gold bracelet with a removable tracker, which can also be clipped to clothing. The device and the connected app are designed and marketed toward women, with a device that resembles jewelry and an app that sends “Boosts” — messages designed to encourage small workout moments. And rather than being one-size-fits-all like many fitness trackers, Mira will come in three sizes — petite, small, and medium. Currently Mira has raised $5,591 of a $10,000 goal.
