As the Internet of Things continues to slowly but surely ramp up, we’re beginning to see more everyday ‘objects’ being connected to the Internet. One which caught our eye is a new web-connected bathroom scale. The company behind it is called BodyTrace and the product has been labeled ‘eScale.’ It wirelessly and automatically uploads a user’s weight to the BodyTrace website, creating charts and recommendations from the data. The company claims that no software
configuration is required from the user to get it to work – perhaps because it relies on mobile technology (specifically the GSM cell phone network) rather than WiFi.
The BodyTrace eScale and accompanying website will be launched in September 2009. The eScale will retail for $119 and signing up to the website costs $19.99 / 3 months.
The website will be focused on weight monitoring. Features will include interactive weight and BMI charts, and a food diary and intake calculator. Of course there is a social networking component (almost goes without saying these days!) – users can create groups, upload pictures, have discussions, and so on. The website boasts a self-described “motivational interface,” to encourage users to share their weight loss progress, exercise ideas, and recipes.
The BodyTrace blog makes for interesting reading, as it details the history of the product and how it evolved. From recent updates about privacy (you don’t have to upload or share photos) and Twitter (there’s been a lot of demand, so you’ll now be able to “tweet your success” when the product launches), to beginnings and first drawings…
…to product design
…and the final products
I’m sure we’ll see many more such products, everyday objects that connect to an accompanying website, over the coming months.
