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(CNN) -- It's no longer enough to have smartphones, smartwatches, smart TVs and smart cars. Now a tech company wants to bring artificial intelligence to lingerie.
Researchers at Microsoft are developing a "smart bra" embedded with physiological sensors that would monitor a woman's heart activity to track her emotional moods and combat overeating. The sensors would signal the wearer's smartphone, which would flash a warning message to help her step away from the fridge and make better diet decisions.
So -- why a bra, exactly?
"First, we needed a form factor that would be comfortable when worn for long durations," said scientists in a research paper published online. "The bra form factor was ideal because it allowed us to collect (electrocardiogram data) near the heart."
Research has shown that many people reach for calorie-rich foods like doughnuts when they're feeling stressed, bored, discouraged or on edge. There's a reason it's called comfort food.
For the research paper, scientists from Microsoft, the University of Rochester and the University of Southampton in the UK interviewed women who said that interventions -- being alerted to their emotional states -- helped them identify triggers for binge eating.
The researchers then conducted a study in which four women wore the sensors in their bras for four days to monitor their vital signs. An electrocardiogram (EKG) sensor under the arm measured their heart rate, while an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor tracked their perspiration.
More research is needed before a smart brassiere -- Microsoft's Secret, anyone? -- ever becomes a viable product. The sensors needed to be recharged every three to four hours, which limited how long the bra could be worn.
But the researchers determined the bra was mostly effective in detecting its wearer's emotional changes and, potentially, helping her eat less.
And in the future, men may not be left out.
"We will continue to explore how to build a robust, real-world system that stands up to everyday challenges with regards to battery life, comfortability, and being suitable for both men and women," the researchers said.
Reaction to the bra on Twitter ranged from amusement to annoyance.
"Anyone else offended that Microsoft is devoting its tech research to a bra designed to prevent women from overeating?" tweeted a Seattle woman whose Twitter handle is @cunningminx.
Added Rachel Happe of Boston, "If nothing else convinces you we need more women in tech, this should. No, I don't want someone hacking my bra..."
The wave of wearable computers
I started reading this thinking that it would be great for patients with heart conditions, etc. Then I read
"The sensors would signal the wearer's smartphone, which would flash a warning message to help her step away from the fridge"
Researchers at Microsoft are developing a "smart bra" embedded with physiological sensors that would monitor a woman's heart activity to track her emotional moods and combat overeating. The sensors would signal the wearer's smartphone, which would flash a warning message to help her step away from the fridge and make better diet decisions.
While I can admire the technology... Why does it need to be a bra, exactly? Call me crazy, but wouldn't a skin pad or something be just as effective and... you know... Less bizarre?
Though I suppose the term 'smart bra' has a certain ring to it.
And in the future, men may not be left out.
Bras for men. This is called equality people
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/12/04 21:23:13
Researchers at Microsoft are developing a "smart bra" embedded with physiological sensors that would monitor a woman's heart activity to track her emotional moods and combat overeating. The sensors would signal the wearer's smartphone, which would flash a warning message to help her step away from the fridge and make better diet decisions.
While I can admire the technology... Why does it need to be a bra, exactly? Call me crazy, but wouldn't a skin pad or something be just as effective and... you know... Less bizarre?
Though I suppose the term 'smart bra' has a certain ring to it.
And in the future, men may not be left out.
Bras for men. This is called equality people
Why a bra? Article states to get a good pickup on the electrocardiogram.
Waiting for my shill money from Spiral Arm Studios
I saw the title and expected something like the following.
Researchers at Microsoft are developing a "smart bra" embedded with physiological sensors that would monitor a woman's heart activity to track her emotional moods and automatically take the bra off in case of sexual arousal.
But its not what I found.
I am disappoint
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/12/04 21:50:27
Self-proclaimed evil Cat-person. Dues Ex Felines
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
Medium of Death wrote: All it needs now is voice commands that allow it to become undone on demand... perhaps like those lights activitated by clapping...
And suddenly the self esteem of women the world over increases as they receive applause whenever entering a public space.
timetowaste85 wrote: God, this thread needs more Kronk. Jim Gordon has a bat-signal, we need a Kronk-symbol.
Kronk is not the hero Dakka deserves. He's the hero Dakka needs.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Dreadclaw69 wrote: I started reading this thinking that it would be great for patients with heart conditions, etc. Then I read "The sensors would signal the wearer's smartphone, which would flash a warning message to help her step away from the fridge"
I read that and thought "Ah. Ok. This is an Onion article and I've been duped.", but no. CNN.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/12/05 00:50:34
hotsauceman1 wrote: Will there be an app that allows me to know what mood my girlfriend is? And if it is safe to ask for sexy time?
you'd need a girlfriend first sauceman
And Microsoft will be implementing it's new "Mood Technology" in which the bra changes colors based on mood rings from the 1970s, unfortunately they didn't bother to update the technology.
DR:80+S++G+M+B+I+Pwmhd11#++D++A++++/sWD-R++++T(S)DM+ Ask me about Brushfire or Endless: Fantasy Tactics
Cato Sicarius, after force feeding Captain Ventris a copy of the Codex Astartes for having the audacity to play Deathwatch, chokes to death on his own D-baggery after finding Calgar assembling his new Eldar army.
5000pts 
6000pts 
3000pts
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