Simultaneously, Vi interprets data captured by the earphone and delivers actionable and interactive insights via audio technology from Harman such as weight loss optimization, exhaustion level management, injury prevention, running technique observations, stress levels, adaptive training plans and more. Vi was recently launched on Kickstarter, where the crowdfunding goal was achieved in only 30 minutes.
Founded in 2011, LifeBEAM has a deep background in making high-end wearable products. Its proprietary technology, hardware, analytics and software have been saving the lives of pilots and astronauts for years and powering brands such as Samsung, Under Armour, JBL, 2XU, Lazer Helmets and Elbit Aerospace. The company is based in New York City, with R&D centers in Israel, Los Angeles and Asia.
Announced in February 2016, the Under Armour Headphones Wireless Heart Rate were engineered by Harman and use LifeBEAM advanced bio sensing technology to power its heart rate monitoring feature, using a touch sensor on the right ear that lets users hear their heart rate on demand. Now, LifeBEAM is paving the way for a future of consumer wearables, leveraging its own technology in headphones designed in collaboration with Harman.
“We are proud to join the AI movement by partnering with LifeBEAM for their latest venture into the exciting world of fitness wearables,” said Dave Rogers, Senior VP and General Manager of Harman’s Consumer Audio Business Unit. “By powering Vi with our high quality audio solution, we are thrilled to become part of LifeBEAM’s fitness revolution. We look forward to continuing to collaborate on future innovations.”
“The inner ear is by far the most rich in terms of blood flow and brain activity, making it the best place to capture accurate biometrics,” states Omri Yoffe, CEO and Co-founder of LifeBEAM. “As such, it was critical for us to provide a truly smarter workout experience based on sound, and to deliver real-time feedback to users with an unmatched quality of audio and acoustics. That’s why we joined forces with Harman Kardon, and the partnership is perfectly symbiotic.”
To promote the advanced concept, LifeBEAM announced the launch of a new Kickstarter campaign to bring Vi to market. Vi rethinks the way people interact with fitness wearables, by providing real-time coaching based on a user’s own physiology. “The future of wearables is using AI to personalize our health and fitness in real time, and we created Vi to lead this new frontier,” says Omri Yoffe. “By improving a person’s awareness of their own behaviors, environment, and real-time physiology, Vi provides an inspiring and truly smarter workout experience. We call Vi an “Awareable,” as it’s the first and only wearable with the power to actually be aware of a person’s activity patterns and coach their behavior in real time.”
The Vi concept combines highly accurate biosensors with the processing power of Artificial Intelligence and cloud based data aggregation. This allows devices to motivate the user with real-time, in-the-moment feedback and coaching that is truly personalized to a user’s physiology and training level. Vi’s earphones feature aerospace-grade biosensors, including heart rate and heart rate variability, motion, elevation and other environmental sensors. Simultaneously, Vi interprets data to deliver actionable insights such as weight loss optimization, exhaustion level management, injury prevention, running technique, stress levels, adaptive training plans and more.
With the Vi mobile app, users can review their short and long term performance and have ongoing communication with Vi through voice or text, even when not training. Vi motivates consumers from all activity levels, from beginners looking to start a fitness routine to marathon runners looking to hone their performance. To prevent the huge challenge of “workout dropout,” Vi creates a personal relationship with its users that deepens over time. This fitness experience also enables users to enjoy their personal music or streaming services as part of a full immersive coaching experience, incentivizing people to exercise more frequently.
Key features of Vi also include integration with leading music services, automatic speech recognition designed for all fitness activities, wireless BLE and BT connectivity, and customized ear fitting of the earbuds with proximity sensing for automatic call answering and power-saving. The battery power was designed for a full day activity (approx. two times more than most wireless earphones).
Launching on Kickstarter, Vi is available for pre-order for $199, at an estimated retail value of $249.
www.life-beam.com | www.harmankardon.com
Check also: www.getvi.com
