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Wearables are coming in an increasing regalia of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe , form factors and guises these days as wellness and fitness tracking proliferates . Here at 4YFN at the MWC tradeshow we spot a newfangled one : A stick - on patch for tracking athletes ’ effort to supervise salt loss and help them tailor-make their rehydration scheme . The Spanish inauguration behind these ( currently ) single - use wearables is calledSweanty(yes , that ’s not a typo ) .
“ We do personalize hydration plans for athlete — and these plans are based on psychoanalysis of their sweat , ” said conscientious objector - CEO and laminitis Laura Ortega Tañá , explain the system of rules is designed to ensure athletes re - hydrate with the right amount of electrolyte ( or isosmotic drinks ) after each training session . depth psychology of the patch wearers ’ “ sweatprofile ” is sent to a associate app where they access their tailor hydration plan .
This does mean the jock necessitate to use a new patch every meter they train . Or at least fit in at key points over their training time of year ( such as when temperatures are changing ) . So the price of the trailing will certainly stack up . But pro athletes whose mean solar day job is pushing their edge are used to investing in their own operation .
Proper hydration can boost sportspeople ’s performance by helping to maintain energy levels and endurance , as well as reducing the risk of spasm , per Ortega Tañá . It can also help with temperature regulation .
Sweanty ’s wearables are not yet available for athlete to buy but the startup expect to launch them in Spain by the end of April . Pricing is n’t support either — but she suggests it will be in the region of € 120 for a corner of three patch ( plus three months ’ access to the subscription tracking service ) .
The version of the wearable on show here at MWC is designed to be wear on the hide at the base of the back . track runners are an early focus for the startup but the piece could make for all sorts of endurance and performance summercater . ( Swimmers or other sports where the user is engross in pee are an exception ; they will have to sting with manual methods for tracking salt exit such as weighing themselves before and after their sitting . )
The team is also work on an iteration of the patch that will allow the electronics constituent to be keep after every use , with only part of the twist having to be disposed of after consumption .
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The exertion analysis technology was developed and patented during Ortega Tañá ’s PhD. She highlight a paper - based salt measuring method acting as a especial bangle here — with the twist essentially being come alive up when it come into contact with the user ’s sweat .
“ The type of measuring that we ’re doing is with a paper - found method acting . We are using a battery with two electrodes on a composition indoors and when the newspaper is completely dry it ’s not operate . But when it immerse sweat it dedicate power that is directly link up to the amount of salt involve , ” she told TechCrunch .
While athletes are a fairly narrow addressable market , Ortega Tañá suggested the engineering could have extensive applications , such as for physical fitness - conscious consumer who are alive enough to want to supervise their hydration . Or for worker safety role cases , such as for people who work in very warm conditions , like construction actor or firemen , where there may be an occupational health jeopardy . “ The only requirement that we need is that they sudate , ” she add .
Alerting caregiver to dehydration risk in seniors who may not be drinking enough is another potential use case she cite . However in that scenario she say the wearable would need to be reengineered so it could actively stimulate the wearer ’s sweat reflex to be capable to monitor them for salt loss .
