Difference between revisions of "Pavlok"

From HCE Wiki - The Human Cognitive Enhancement Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(media fixed headlines)
(media fixed headlines)
Line 77: Line 77:
 
==== Announcements ====
 
==== Announcements ====
  
==== Reviews ====
+
==== Reviews and User experience ====
 
 
==== User experience ====
 
  
 
http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/02/pavlok-user-reviews-wearable-shocking-fitness-device/
 
http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/02/pavlok-user-reviews-wearable-shocking-fitness-device/

Revision as of 13:26, 27 July 2016

Pavlok
Pavlok01.png
Category Limb-mounted
Developer Pavlok, Inc. [1]
Announced November 2014 [2][3]
Released Developers: (unknown)
Consumers: April 2015 (for crowdfunding backers)[4]
Price 180 USD [5][6]
Operating system none (can connect to smartphone)
Sensors

none

Weight g (unspecified)[7]
Controls

button, smartphone [8]

Data available Good
Risk factor Low
Standalone
http://pavlok.com/hello.php

Pavlok is a wearable device the size of a watch that is worn on the wrist. It delivers an electric shock to the user either upon pressing the button or by a wireless signal sent from a paired smartphone. The device is meant to be used to break bad habits such as smoking by a method of classical conditioning.

Customers can so far only pre-order the device but a number of unit was already shipped to IndieGoGo backers in November 2016.

Main characteristics

Vice Media editor Louise Beltzung with the Pavlok wristband

The device consists of a silicone armband and the hardware module that fits inside the armband enclosure. It also comes with a smartphone app for Android or iOS systems.[9] The device is worn the same way as a regular wristwatch. Upon pressing the button, the module discharges electrical current into user's wrist. The voltage can be controlled via the smartphone app, that communicates with the device by Bluetooth 4.0 LE, or by double tapping the device, and can range from 50 to 450 volts.[10][11]

The smartphone app can be set so it delivers the electrical discharge after certain conditions are met, e.g. when the user impulsively checks their Facebook page or when they overspend.[12] This can be set in the smartphone app or with an IFTTT 'recipe'.[13] The app offers to set individual goals and good habits forming plans (such as regular exercising, meditation, or waking up) with varying degree of rewards and punishments.

Purpose

The purpose of this device is to help the users to break bad habits by utilizing classical conditioning. In this case, the stimulus is an electrical shock delivered when programmed conditions are met or manually by the user.

Company & People

Pavlok resembles other limb-mounted wearables

Pavlok is developed by an American technology company Pavlok, Inc. The company is based in Boston, Massachusets.[14]

  • Maneesh Sethi - CEO and Co-founder
  • Jim Lynch - Co-founder
  • Chris Schelzi - marketing
  • Justus Eapen - software engineer
  • Nicole Fallek - designer
  • Adam Andrewjeski - software engineer
  • Peter Dunbar - mobile software engineer
  • Sasha Iuleu - hardware

Important Dates

  • November 2014 - IndieGoGo campaign for Pavlok started.[2]
  • 30 November 2014 - The crowdfunding campaign was fully funded.
  • November 2016 - Pavlok, Inc. shipped the device to every crowdfunding campaign backer.

It is not clear when the company plans to begin regular sales of the device.

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

Therapy - The device helps with breaking unwanted habits and losing addictions.

Ethical & Health Issues

The company recommends that Pavlok should not be used by minors, pets, pregnant women, persons with heart conditions, and persons with internal medical devices.[15]

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

We found a great number of reviews, early announcements and user experiences with Pavlok. For better clarity, we arranged the following sections into three categories.

Announcements

Reviews and User experience

http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/02/pavlok-user-reviews-wearable-shocking-fitness-device/

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/i-shocked-myself-for-five-days-to-break-my-coffee-addiction

http://www.betaboston.com/news/2016/01/20/shocking-news-pavlok-the-wristband-that-zaps-bad-habits-sort-of-works/

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/i-strap-the-gadget-to-my-wrist-and-double-click-101397371719.html

https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/04/pavlok-wearable/

https://techcrunch.com/2014/09/30/pavlok/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/pavlok-the-wristband-that-gives-you-an-electric-shock-if-you-spend-too-much-a7039296.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30182607

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3033580/fast-feed/this-cruel-pavlok-bracelet-shocks-you-to-exercise

https://www.rt.com/news/192516-pavlok-wristband-campaign-launched/

Shark tank incident:

http://nextshark.com/maneesh-sethi-pavlok-shark-tank/

http://www.businessinsider.com/shark-tank-fight-over-pavlok-2016-5

Mentioned on NPR's Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! show.[16]

Public Policy

We are not aware of any policy that is regulating or is otherwise relevant to this device in particular.

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

We found no related research that is connected to this device in particular.

References