This watch warns of imminent health threats
Three years ago Terje Tobiassed experienced a heart attack while in his car. It was only quick thinking and actions of fellow motorists that saved him. This experience inspired him to look for a way to help himself and others get warnings of health threats, before they happen.
The following year Tobiassed and a handful of his Norwegian friends established ContinYou. Later this month their first product, the health-monitor watch Contact, will be available in Norwegian stores. The device sports a host of sensors that measure movement, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation (SPO2), temperature and geographical position. By combining this data, algorithms in the watch can predict dangerous situations before they occur.
“Based on increasing pulse and lowered oxygen saturation levels, we can estimate if the wearer is about to faint, or if there is a risk it can happen. Through mobile technology the watch can communicate with heath personnel or the wearer’s relatives,” Tobiassen said in a statement.
There is no shortage of safety wearables on the market today, but they typically function as alarm buttons. Contact on the other hand takes into account other health factors and is automatic.
Equipped with a huge battery, power-saving technology and GSM, the goal is to give seniors and others freedom to be more mobile. Contact dials up a guardian when irregularities in the pulse or blood oxygen saturation occur, or if the barometric pressure sensor detects a fall, and sends a push message. The wearer can also trigger the alarm manually, by pressing the large button on the device.
On a full charge the device will run for up to 10 days, but it will warn you ahead of time before the battery is empty. Left uncharged it will notify the user and guardians that the watch will soon be put into sleep mode.
The health watch is targeted towards people aged over 60 years. Tobiassen’s thinking is that welfare technology is not important just for the elderly, but also for their families.
“What happened to me in 2014 was a big strain for my family. This watch will provide safety both for the wearers and their families,” he said.
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