Blog 4: Wearable Technology

 Every parent feels excitement when they have a baby, but they may also feel worried. When infants are awake, it's easy for parents to monitor them; however, after infants go to sleep, it's much more difficult for parents to keep an eye on them. Furthermore, it’s impossible for parents to keep a close watch on their sleeping infant when they themselves are asleep too. Owlet, a new piece of wearable technology, hopes to put parents' minds at ease as they drift off to sleep. Owlet is a smart sock that babies wear while they sleep; it monitors the baby's heart rate, oxygen levels, movements, and sleep patterns. Parents keep a base station on the nightstand next to their beds; when everything is okay with the baby, the base station glows green. If the baby needs attention (because their heart rate or oxygen levels go out of a normal range), parents receive a notification on their phones.  All the data collected is sent to the Owlet app that parents download to their phones; these records of the baby's health trends are stored and can be viewed by the parents at any time. A brand new smart sock and base will cost $300, while buying a refurbished set will only set parents back $200. For many parents' peace of mind, this technology will be worth the investment.

Source: https://endpoints.elysiumhealth.com/next-generation-wearables-2018-b0c8be461151
Source: https://owletcare.com/