Does the world need another smart wrist band? The developers at Rooti Labs in Taiwan think so. They have developed the W/Me2, a band with the primary goal of accurately measuring the wearer’s heart rate.
At face value, this may not seem to be a lofty goal. After all, many fitness bands and smart watches already measure heart rate. However, many of them rely on plethysmography, using LEDs as a light source that is then measured by optical sensors. There is some debate about the accuracy of devices that use this technology. The W/Me2 relies on measuring electrical signals, acting as a single-lead electrocardiogram. This means that in order to get a reading, you have to touch a conductive pad on the band with a finger from your opposite hand.
The device measures heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), as well as activity, sleep patterns, blood pressure, and more. It uses Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone running a companion app, and has GPS location support. The battery is rated to run up to six days between charges. The device appears to only be available in Taiwan at the present time.
