Smart Back Brace will improve your posture by vibrating or sending you nagging alerts

By Jason Hahn December 28, 2014

Smart Back Brace — Image used with permission by copyright holder

You’re likely reading this on your laptop, desktop or mobile device with less-than-ideal posture, which can lead to a multitude of health problems. There are many companies trying to sell their posture-related solutions to the masses – from special chairs, to expensive T-shirts, to sensor-laden monitors. Now there’s a smart back brace to add to the list.

The Smart Back Brace (SBB) is a clavicle support device meant to improve your posture. It comprises two adjustable straps that wrap around your shoulders to pull them back into proper positions.

What makes this different from other clavicle supports out there is the small electronic unit with tension sensors located on the back where the two straps join. When a wearer begins to slouch, the smart electronic unit will vibrate or send an alert (via Bluetooth) to the wearer’s smartphone as a reminder to stop hunching.

Like mothers, the SBB isn’t meant to nag you with posture reminders for the rest of your life. Rather, it’s meant to be a teaching device that trains your muscles so they “know” what position your shoulders should always be in.

The SBB app (for iPhones and Android phones) will allow users to customize at which tension levels alerts are triggered, among other things.

While the five-member team based in Los Angeles has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $100,000 for this project, founder Andy Goubarev recently shared that he has secured funding for the SBB’s development from his father’s retirement fund. So the SBB will be produced whether the crowdfunding goal is reached or not.

Supporters of the campaign can get the SBB for $69. The device will retail for $99, and shipments are expected to begin in July 2015.

Topics

Emerging Tech

Contributor

Jason Hahn is a part-time freelance writer based in New Jersey. He earned his master's degree in journalism at Northwestern…

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