Tech
Vancouver Company Develops Posture Correcting Gadget ‘EyeForcer’ [VIDEO]
Megha Kedia
First Posted: Jun 09, 2016 06:20 AM EDT
Kids who spend more time playing games on tablets and mobile devices are at risk of developing harmful posture problems. Their permanently hunched posture may result in a condition known as "Game Boy Disease" or "Tech Neck".
To tackle the problem, a Vancouver-based company called Medical Wearable Solutions has developed a new gadget that monitors the wearer's posture and encourages them to sit up straight when using any device.
The new piece of eyewear, known as EyeForcer, has built in sensors and works with a companion Android app which detects the position of the wearer's head and sends a warning when it finds the head has dipped forward more than 30 degrees. If in case, the wearer doesn't respond to the warnings, the app they are using is made to shut down after five warnings. The lightweight glasses are fitted with a Bluetooth radio, an accelerometer and a battery pack.
"Technology is part of education, entertainment, and daily life, so preventing this condition is not as simple as taking away or limiting time on devices," said Dr. Vahid Sahiholnasab, one of Medical Wearable Solutions' founders.
"The EyeForcer is a way to allow children to continue to use tablets and smartphones for learning and entertainment without harming their health."
Dr. Sahiholnasab said he first noticed the issue in his daughter who began complaining about neck pain. When he began doing some research on the issue, he found it has become a more common problem in children. He explained that as children's bones are malleable, poor posture can lead to more serious issues in the long run when their bones become firmer.
The company has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for the $120 gadget.
"Technology is here to stay, so teach your children the benefits of proper posture at a young age. Trust us, they'll thank you later in life," the gadget's Kickstarter page reads.
The EyeForcer works on both Android and iOS devices. However, the app cannot shut down programs on iOS devices "due to Apple's restrictions". The company hopes to begin shipping the EyeForcer in November.
What do you think about the new posture correcting gadget 'EyeForcer'? Let us know in comments below.
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TagsEyeForcer, Posture Correcting Gadget, Tech Neck, Game Boy Disease, Medical Wearable Solutions, Dr. Vahid Sahiholnasab ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
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First Posted: Jun 09, 2016 06:20 AM EDT
Kids who spend more time playing games on tablets and mobile devices are at risk of developing harmful posture problems. Their permanently hunched posture may result in a condition known as "Game Boy Disease" or "Tech Neck".
To tackle the problem, a Vancouver-based company called Medical Wearable Solutions has developed a new gadget that monitors the wearer's posture and encourages them to sit up straight when using any device.
The new piece of eyewear, known as EyeForcer, has built in sensors and works with a companion Android app which detects the position of the wearer's head and sends a warning when it finds the head has dipped forward more than 30 degrees. If in case, the wearer doesn't respond to the warnings, the app they are using is made to shut down after five warnings. The lightweight glasses are fitted with a Bluetooth radio, an accelerometer and a battery pack.
"Technology is part of education, entertainment, and daily life, so preventing this condition is not as simple as taking away or limiting time on devices," said Dr. Vahid Sahiholnasab, one of Medical Wearable Solutions' founders.
"The EyeForcer is a way to allow children to continue to use tablets and smartphones for learning and entertainment without harming their health."
Dr. Sahiholnasab said he first noticed the issue in his daughter who began complaining about neck pain. When he began doing some research on the issue, he found it has become a more common problem in children. He explained that as children's bones are malleable, poor posture can lead to more serious issues in the long run when their bones become firmer.
The company has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for the $120 gadget.
"Technology is here to stay, so teach your children the benefits of proper posture at a young age. Trust us, they'll thank you later in life," the gadget's Kickstarter page reads.
The EyeForcer works on both Android and iOS devices. However, the app cannot shut down programs on iOS devices "due to Apple's restrictions". The company hopes to begin shipping the EyeForcer in November.
What do you think about the new posture correcting gadget 'EyeForcer'? Let us know in comments below.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone