InstaBeat
| Instabeat | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Category | smartglasses |
| Developer | WonderEight [1] |
| Announced | January 2013 [2] |
| Released | Developers:
Consumers: 2015 [3] |
| Price | 150 USD [4] |
| Operating system | unknown |
| Display | LEDs (diodes) |
| Resolution | none |
| Field of view | |
| Weight | 30 g [5] |
| Controls |
touchpad |
| Data available | good |
| Risk factor | unknown |
| Standalone | |
| http://www.instabeat.me | |
InstaBeat is a swimming tracker head-mounted device that allows the user to get information about their heart-beat and lap times. The device can be attached to a variety of swimming goggles. This way, InstaBeat goggles enhances the swimmer's training routine and provides them with data about their swimming performance in real-time without the need to exit the water. The recorded data can be uploaded via USB and through the provided InstaBeatConnect online application the user can review the performance data, save them, and compare them to previously recorded sessions.
The company won a number of awards. In 2010 the company won the 3rd place in the Star of Science competition with a prototype device then called Butterfleye. (http://www.starsofscience.com/English/Hind-Hobeika) In 2013, it was chosen as the best in wearable technology at CES2014. It was chosen among the 7 "hottest Global startups of 2013" by Forbes.(http://www.mitefgreece.org/hind-hobeika/)
Contents
Main characteristics
InstaBeat is an attachable head-mounted heart-beat sensor and display. The device is made from a flexible waterproof material and can be attached to a selection of swimming goggles.(cit needed) The inner side of the device features a heart-beat sensor. Information about the performance is conveyed through three sets of three coloured (blue, green red) LED diodes on the bottom rim of the goggles. After registering the user's heart-beat, the device can track it and inform the user about the heart frequency by lighting up the differently coloured diodes. The threshold at which different colours turn on is customised by the user through the bundled InstaBeatConnect software. InstaBeat communicates with the application via a USB connector. The application archives previous sessions, displays performance graphs and measures lap times, heart beat and burn calories. The data can also be shared on various social networks.(cit manual)
Purpose
InstaBeat provides the means to measure and track swimming performance and help to make training more effective.
Company & People
The device is developed by InstaBeat Inc. Instabeat is a Lebanon based technology startup. It was founded by a former professional swimmer Hind Hobeika in 2011.(http://instabeat.me/about)
- Hind Hobeika - Founder and Chief Executive Officer (http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=253760316)
- Carl Madi - Chief Operations Officer (https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/instabeat#/entity)
Important Dates
- 1 September 2014 - InstaBeat Inc. founded. Originally named Butterfleye SAL.(cit crunchbase)(cit starofscience from summary)
- May 2013 - IndieGoGo campaign (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/instabeat#/)
- 17 June 2013 - IndieGoGo campaign successfully ended.
- 23 June 2015 - InstaBeat ships first units. (http://instabeat.me/blog/2015/06/23/instabeat-june-23-2015-updates/)
Ethical & Health Issues
There are no ethical or health issues connected to this particular device.
For more general issues connected with smartglasses, please see the Smartglasses synopsis.
Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment
Enhancement. - The device aims at providing information about the user's sport activity and so enhance their training routine. Thanks to the heart-beat sensor, it can be used as a form of treatment but other, dedicated devices, are perhaps better suited for such task.
Public & Media Impact and Presentation
Public Policy
There is no public policy that considers this device specifically.
For more information about policies related to smartglasses, please see the Smartglasses synopsis.
Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research
There are no related projects or research relevant to this device specifically.
For more information about this type of devices, please see the Smartglasses synopsis.
