The International Consumer Electronics Show had its share of activity measuring devices, from tiny clips that hang on a pocket to lanyards and wristbands that convert a phone into a private coach.
But BodyMedia is taking a different approach with the Vue Patch, a disposable monitor in a stick-on patch like a large Band-Aid. Once glued on, the Vue will collect data on activity level, sleep patterns and calories burned day and night for week.
The Vue records a week’s worth of activity.The sensor comes in a palm-size adhesive strip made to be worn on the arm.
The Vue is 5 mm thick - a hair thicker than two nickels stacked together â€" so it can be worn comfrtably under clothes. It is considerably smaller and less bulky than BodyMedia’s current monitors, the Link and Core, which are worn on an armband.
The Vue sticks on using a hydrocolloid polymer adhesive, a gel-like substance that is used in bandages for sensitive injuries like skin grafts and burns because it doesn’t damage tender tissue when removed.
The Vue, which is due in the second half of 2013, will share its information by USB. Once a week of recording is over, you remove the patch, open it and get the sensor out. There is already an update planned that will use Bluetooth to share information while the patch is still on.
The final price is not determined, but the company said it should be less than $100.
