Doppel Wearable Launches Kickstarter Campaign

This wearable can give you an energy boost or calm you down on demand

By Kris Wouk June 16, 2015

Doppel Wearable — Image used with permission by copyright holder

It seems that every day we see some new form of health-focused wearable launched, with most of them sharing a key trait: they’re meant to measure various aspects of your health. The Doppel, however, which just today launched its Kickstarter campaign today, takes a different approach.

The Doppel doesn’t measure anything about you, instead it’s meant to influence how you feel. This wristband includes the same sort of haptic feedback as the Apple Watch or any number of other smartwatches, but uses it to rhythmically tap your wrist at the speed of your choosing. A faster rhythm is meant to give you a boost, while a slower rhythm aims to keep you calm.

“Doppel harnesses your body’s natural response to rhythm similarly to upbeat or downbeat music, but it’s a pulse you feel on your wrist rather than one you hear,” Doppel co-founder Jack Hooper told TechCrunch. “It can be used to keep you going through a really long meeting, help you stay calm during a presentation or wind down at the end of the day. It gives people more control over how they feel.”

To get started, users download an app for their phone and enter their resting heartrate, which is sent to the Doppel. After this initial setup, everything is controlled via the Doppel itself. Pressing will increase the rhythm, while turning the wristband’s dial to the right with slow the rhythm. Turning in the other direction changes the intensity of the beat.

The price for a standard stainless steel model of the Doppel is £95 (roughly $150), but as is usually the case, early bird pricing is available on a limited number of models starting at £80 (roughly $125).

The Doppel will be successfully funded if a total of £100,000 can be raised. At the time of this writing the amount raised is just under £5,000, but considering the campaign only launched earlier today, it seems to be progressing steadily. If the funding stage is successful, the Doppel should begin shipping in April 2016.

How effective the Doppel is likely varies from person to person, but the product is certainly unique. If you’re interested in backing the project, you have until July 16 to do so.

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