2014年1月15日 星期三

智慧型襪子 - 正說明 2014 ~ 2018 穿戴科技創新及新的創業方式將起飛 ( Smart socks - just shows 2014 ~ 2018 the wearable technological innovation and entrepreneurial take off )

智慧短襪「Owlet」:將穿戴科技革命,延燒至嬰兒床上

穿戴科技正風行,除了最受矚目的Google Glass,以及Epson健康管理智慧手錶之外,Owlet也瞄準父母市場,推出了可追蹤嬰兒健康狀況的智慧短襪。

這雙低過敏性的無線智慧短襪,將所有的電子元件放置在絕緣矽膠套中,以確保使用者不會有觸電危險,並運用在醫院及小兒科已行之有年的脈搏血氧定量計,透過紅光及紅外線來測量寶寶心跳速率及含氧量,還可追蹤體表溫度,以及在孩子熟睡時提供翻身警報,減低因面朝下睡姿而引起的窒息危險。

所有追蹤資訊,都會藉由藍芽4.0傳輸到Owlet app中(目前僅支援iPhone),但若是用戶沒有智慧型手機,也可選擇藉由USB傳輸線連結至電腦,或是連接到Wifi網路,並在任何連網裝置上查看數據。電池約可使用兩個整天,電量低的時候會有提醒通知。

Owlet智慧短襪目前還在群眾集資階段,有興趣的讀者可以上網站預訂,零售價為$250美金。


No one is more concerned with health than the mother of an infant, and with the rising availability of wrist-worn fitness tracking devices, it only makes sense that a baby-sized health tracker would pop up.

Meet Owlet, one of our hardware battlefield companies.

Owlet is an ankle-worn health tracking device for your baby, with an accompanying app that gives you a readout on your little bundle of joy’s health at any time.

Owlet tracks heart rate, oxygen levels, skin temperature and even provides rollover alerts during sleep.

It all works with a system called Pulse oximetry, which has been used in hospitals and in pediatrics for years. By using red and infrared lights, the “smart sock” as they call it, can measure heart rate and oxygen levels without being invasive.

The smart sock then transmits the information its recording to a smartphone app via Bluetooth 4.0. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can plug in the smart sock via USB to see metrics on your computer, or connect the smart sock to your home Wifi network to see readouts on any connected device.

The sock is hypoallergenic, wireless, and all the electronic components are housed in a resistant silicone case to make sure no one gets electrocuted.

Battery on the Owlet smart sock lasts up to two full days, with notifications letting you know when it’s running low on jive juice.

The company claims that the Owlet helps in more ways than just tracking your baby’s health, as it offers peace of mind for an often times stressed and restless mother.

Owlet is in the process of crowdfunding to bring the device to market, with a retail price of $250. If you’re interested in reserving a unit for yourself, head over to the Owlet website.

Sensoria Is A New Smart Sock That Coaches Runners In Real Time

Hardware maker, Heapsylon, debuted two new fitness products at CES 2014: a smart fitness sock that coaches users on their running techniques in real time and a heart rate monitor built into a T-shirt and bra. I got a hands-on demo with Sensoria Sock’s smartphone application that alerts users to improper foot technique and came away, shall we say, breathless.

Sensoria places sensors on the bottom of the foot so an app can give feedback on the most common types of runner errors. During my brief jaunt with the early prototype, Sensoria was able to quickly identify that I do, indeed, strike my heels first when I run and also that I had an inconsistent pace (cadence). Unlike an expensive running coach with a camera, the Sensoria gives real-time auditory feedback in a natural environment and can follow me around wherever I go. Initially, only professionals have had access to this kind of realtime, ubiquitous coaching.

As a new runner, I’ve been having all kinds of nasty knee and calf issues. This is a product my beleaguered body is begging for.

In addition to the Sock, Heapsylon also announced a shirt and bra with an embedded heart rate monitor. Heart rate chest straps are notoriously uncomfortable and an inconvenience to carry around. Never having to remember to bring my chest strap while I travel would be a pleasant bonus.

For the futurist, Heapsylon partnered with Google Glass developer, Race Yourself, to bring heads-up visual feedback to runners. Instead of runners having to sporadically check their heart rate, Google Glass will display it in real time, along with visual data on their foot placement.

Of all the wearables I’ve demoed at CES thus far, the Sensoria Smart Sock is probably the most useful. It identifies a population eager for self-improvement and delivers a product that conveniently solves a major health issue. I can’t wait for it to be available in the spring.


現在的穿戴產品很多都具備人體生物資料感應功能,這次 Sensoria 帶來了與眾不同的產品,那就是具備人體檢測功能的健身襪,還有一款配套腳鐲。這種襪子具備了紡織物感測器,可以感知你的腳步、速度、重量分佈、腳何時落地和步行的節奏,然後通過藍牙和腳鐲進行資料交換,最終傳到 App 上進行查看和管理。這種襪子四雙一組,再配上腳鐲總共是 US$200(約 HK$1,550 / NT$5,900),3 月 15 日的時候會開始出貨。

另外,在一月份和二月份 Sensoria 還會帶來具備紡織感測器的胸罩和體恤衫。我們會在 CES 上會大家帶來動手玩報導,看看這種新的智慧穿戴產品用起來有啥進步。

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