Watch-like heart rate monitor seeks Kickstarter funding

This slim, watch-like gadget may look like a fitness tracking device, but in actual fact it’s a heart rate monitor and the first of its kind that doesn’t rely on annoying straps around a user’s body or even a tap of the finger to get it working.

The Alpha has been in development for a number of years and now creator Liz Dickinson (who has a long history in health and fitness tech), hopes to bring the gadget to the masses and has turned to Kickstarter to help.

Dickinson describes the Alpha as the “holy grail” of EKG monitors, because despite the fact she’s worked on similar pieces of tech before, not only does this latest iteration not need any chest straps, but it doesn’t even require you to press a button to get it going either. Before now heart monitors have been incredibly accurate, but often need to be worn around a person’s chest and need to be activated, which are both irritating when all you want to do is get on with your day or workout.

The device has been designed to track all kinds of physical activities, and will be marketed to athletes, those with health problems and general consumers with an interest in their health. It’s bound to appeal to a wide range of people give that it looks like a regular watch and it’s pretty discreet and slim-fitting to say it’s packing so much innovative tech.

You can charge the Alpha up via USB and there’s also an app that syncs up with the device and provides you with real-time data.

Interestingly, Alpha’s technology is also being opened up to developers, who can create any kind of app or accompanying using the data the gadget gathers.

Visit the Kickstarter page: ALPHA

[Via Mashable]