Las Vegas – Smart baby monitor start-up Owlet has unveiled a connected sock that alerts parents if their baby stops breathing.
: The device is linked to a hub that sounds an alarm and flashes red when triggered
: A smartphone app enables parents to monitor their child’s oxygen levels and heart rate
The sock uses a miniaturised version of the technology found in pulse oximeters – medical devices that attach to a patient’s finger or earlobe to monitor oxygen saturation levels.
Described by the company as ‘necessary technology’, the device is designed to measure a baby’s vital signs and act accordingly rather than build a detailed profile of their health.
‘A lot of the technology coming out is causing parents to obsess more, so we made a very conscious effort to be the monitor in the background that will alert parents if something is wrong,’ says Zack Bomsta, co-founder of Owlet. ‘We are not about parents poring over data or looking at their smartphones and being able to say ‘our baby got 1% better sleep last night’.’
For some, data-tracking software is a hindrance rather than a help, associated with increased levels of stress and anxiety. Owlet’s functional device presents a less invasive option for parents looking to safeguard their child’s wellbeing.