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By taking advantage of biosensor and wireless communication technologies, a wireless-transmitter device on infant pajamas provides a biophysical approach to baby monitoring.
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Soon, parents and caregivers also will be able to obtain such peace of mind wirelessly. AT&T (www.att.com) and Exmovere Holdings, Inc. (www.exmovere.com) have agreed to wirelessly enable Exmovere's patented biosensor baby pajamas, called Exmobaby. By sending data across the AT&T wireless network, Exmobaby provides real-time tracking of a baby's key biological parameters.
The Exmobaby system comprises the following elements: the biosensor garment; a AAA-battery-powered ZigBee transmitter pod that snaps securely onto the garment; a USB ZigBee receiver dongle that plugs into a nearby Microsoft Windows personal computer (PC); software for the PC; and a user website, where remote alerts by SMS, instant messaging, and e-mail can be set up. The snap-on transmitter is designed to measure critical vital signs in infantsincluding heart rate, skin temperature, moisture, and movement (see photo). The data is transmitted at regular intervals to the parent's computer, tablet, and smartphone to help determine a baby's needs. And whenever a baby requires attention or care, Exmobaby will transmit alerts to parents and caregivers.
The transceiver sends a burst of data once per minute. As an added advantage, the wireless transceiver pod is stored in a pouch on the front of the garment (at the baby's lower abdomen). As a result, it will prevent the baby from sleeping on his or her stomach (which has been connected to an increased likelihood of SIDS). Because the transceiver pod has an 8-hour battery life, it can be used for a full night without interruption.
Exmobaby is based on patents that have been licensed from Sensatex and Georgia Tech. With an embedded electrocardiogram as well as skin-temperature, moisture, and movement sensors, the Exmobaby system wirelessly transmits a baby's vital-sign data to a PC located within 100 feet. This biosensor capability provides parents with continuous information about their baby while enabling baby monitoring.
The wireless transmitter device will be sold with pajama garments available in four sizes ranging from 0 to 12 months. The main source of cost to the consumer is the wireless transceiver pod, sensors, and Universal Serial Bus (USB) receiver (estimated at $49 per kit per 100,000). The pajamas are expected to be priced conservatively. Finally, an online service to process smartphone application and SMS alerts is expected to cost parents approximately $10 per month.