By some cosmic confluence, two proposals for tech bras crossed our desk this morning: one for a bra that can adjust your music to match your heart rate, and one that hopes to detect breast cancer early.
The Keep Beat bra, from British designer Victoria Sowerby, does the usual heart rate detection, but then sends your data to an app that slows and speeds your music depending on how fast your heart is beating. If you usually run to, say, the Foo Fighters’ “Everlong,” the music’s tempo will drop if your heart rate slows. This may fall more into the category of “neat/annoying digital music hack” than “health-related app,” but still: wearable tech! bras! And yes, it’s a prototype.
Also a prototype but of greater import is the iTbra, from Cyrcadia Health. The iTbra, pictured here, uses temperature sensors to monitor small changes in blood flow that some research shows can be an early signal of breast cancer. The idea is not to wear the iTbra daily, but rather to replace mammographies or even monthly self-checks. There’ll be a Cisco-backed documentary about the iTbra premiering at SXSW next month (no clip seems to be available online), and the company is applying for FDA approval.
Here’s a video of the Keep Beat: