Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Weight-watching takes on a different slant now that Cambridge Consultants has developed the wrist worn ‘MiBand’, a completely new type of device which continuously tracks activity levels throughout the day. 

The MiBand, which requires very little user-input, sends its data to a behavioural coaching system called MiLife which then provides health and fitness guidance. Trials have shown users increase activity by more than two hours a week.  MiBand was developed for MiLife Coaching Ltd, enhancing its online service for individuals and for companies who want to support a healthier lifestyle amongst their staff. 

In England alone according to NHS statistics, the proportion of individuals classified as obese increased from 13.2 per cent to 23.1 per cent for men and from 16.4 per cent to 24.8 per cent for women between 1993 and 2005. Desk-based jobs and poor diets are mostly to blame. 

MiBand features an integrated accelerometer that measures activity levels throughout the day based on movement. This data is combined with weight measurements, taken remotely from a special set of MiLife’s ‘Bluetooth® Smart Scales’ that transmit automatically to the device when operated. 

The data is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth to a PC and then uploaded to the individual’s online health record, which then provides personalised advice based on the individual’s lifestyle.

Cambridge Consultants provided complete wireless, electronic, software and mechanical product design from development to manufacture of MiBand. Ultra low power design techniques were employed to enable the device to continually monitor activity levels for up to two weeks between charges. 

The device is comfortable to wear 24/7 and withstands water and dirt. MiBand is also simple to use, with all operations performed via a minimal user interface based on a capacitive touch sensor.