Vessyl has sensors that can detect what you’ve poured into it, & how much. Through the day, it can track such things as water, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, & protein in what you’ve drunk, plus your hydration level.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/12/5801106/vessyl-smart-cup-that-knows-exactly-what-youre-drinking
TechHive has a highly critical article. Check the comments – turns it into an interesting discussion.
http://www.techhive.com/article/2457644/why-have-consumers-spent-1-million-on-vessyl-an-absurd-calorie-counting-cup.html
Are the
TechHive criticisms justified? Obviously, there are limits to what the device can measure. Limitations include:
• anyone who expects
Vessyl to count all of their consumed calories is going to be disappointed
• users it will have to be prepared to change their habits – e.g. always carry the device & use it for all liquids consumed
• hydration: obviously, the user's water intake can be measured. Water loss, the other half of the hydration equation, is quite complicated. Caffeine & alcohol intake have a bearing, &
Vessyl measures those, but water loss due to perspiration depends on the temperature of the day & exercise. Some fairly vague claims are made about, "your unique hydration needs", in the faq at
https://www.myvessyl.com/faq, under the heading "How does my
Vessyl help me stay hydrated?"
Vessyl is the only practical means I know, of measuring caffeine consumption. Caffeine content of coffee is not a standard unit. Variables include:
• type of coffee bean
• instant generally contains less caffeine than fresh
• grinding
• how the coffee was made e.g. filter verses percolated
• where the cup of coffee was made. A few years ago, a university study measured the caffeine content of
over 90 97 short blacks from restaurants
in Melbourne on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The strongest sample contained nearly nine times as much caffeine as the weakest*.
Its a well-known principle that, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." Google found over 46,000 matches to the preceding statement. Anyone who has an activity tracker has seen the value of this principle**.
Vessyl is another measuring tool to help manage health & fitness.
Vessyl is available at the pre-order price of $99 for a few more days.
Manufacturer’s web site
https://www.myvessyl.com/
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* Ben Desbrow et al: "An examination of consumer exposure to caffeine from retail coffee outlets"
http://www.academia.edu/1879395/An_examination_of_consumer_exposure_to_caffeine_from_retail_coffee_outlets
** Dena M. Bravata, MD, MS et al: "Using pedometers to increase physical activity & improve health"
http://web.mit.edu/mobilehealth/www/House_n/Readings/BravataETAL07.pdf / biomedical computing student Queen’s University Justin Lee internet of things device computer tumbler cup Yves Béhar designer Jawbone OLPC 13 ounce cup recognizes recognises any beverage pour into it display displays nutrition nutritional content synchronise syncs drinking habits smartphone smartphone smart-phone app Vessyl prototype beverages successfully identified all of them 10 seconds Thermos recognized recognised Crush orange soda Vitamin Water XXX Tropicana orange juice Gatorade Cool Blue plain old water beverages by name knows the difference Gatorade Cool Blue Glacier Freeze Vessyl tell the difference between strong weak coffee caffeine sugar protein calories fat caffeine beverage track tracks drinking ship preorders pre-order track our movement provide transparency carry water bottle Nalgene bottle Kleen Kanteen consumption track exercise sensor instantly analyze nutritional content contents constituents beverage molecular level sensor analyse analyze analyzes liquid quality control non-contact sensor processor algorithms match your beverage beverages tested with Vessyl measures displays nutritional content displays nutritional data better habits syncs back to your smartphone Bluetooth low energy metric total mg of caffeine consumed today hydration measurement how hydrated you are Vessyl app small blue light will illuminate above it accelerometer gestures charging coaster smart cup stay better hydrated /
