LG launches KizON, a wearable device that lets parents track their kids

LG continues to explore the potential of the fast-expanding wearables market, on Wednesday launching KizON, a wrist-based device for kids that helps parents keep track of where they are and what they’re up to.

Aimed at pre-school and primary school kids, KizON uses GPS and WI-Fi technology to provide parents with real-time location information, which they can access via an app on their smartphone or tablet.

KizON also incorporates what LG calls a One Step Direct Call feature, allowing a child to call a pre-configured phone number with a single press of a button. A neat touch is that the number can be changed at any time via the app, so if one parent suddenly has some important business to attend to, they can simply easily switch the direct-call number to that of another parent or family member.

Parents can call in too, and if the child doesn’t answer within 10 seconds, it connects automatically, allowing the parent to listen in on their child’s environment.

It also comes with a Location Reminder feature that lets parents pre-set KizON to provide location alerts at specified times throughout the day.

According to LG, the KizON can run for up to 36 hours on a single charge, comes in three flavors (blue/pink/green), and operates on both 2G and 3G networks.

Going by the promotional images, the device looks a little on the large side. Let’s just hope it’s robust, as something that big strapped to a child’s wrist is bound to take a few knocks during the course of a normal day.

KizON’s unveiling comes a day after LG’s G Watch went on sale around the world. The Korean company is evidently eager to gain an early foothold in the wearables market, which many analysts believe has the potential to be worth billions of dollars.

LG’s new kid-focused wristband is set to hit stores in South Korea this week before making its way to the US and Europe in the fall. LG is yet to announce pricing information for the device.