Smart Diapers: The internet of things is just getting started, kids | Whitespace Bangkok

Smart Diapers: The internet of things is just getting started, kids

Just when you think that nothing else can surprise you, you learn that Huggies are launching a new brand of “smart diaper” which uses a Bluetooth disk to notify parents when their babies have a “number one” or “number two”. Now, as farfetched and unnecessary as that might sound in the beginning, there are actually a number of practical benefits that can come from embracing such technology. That said, how well are these items going to apply in the wider market? Many families struggle as it is with the cost of diapers without having to pay what could be up to three or five times as much as they currently do. 

In this article we’re going to take a quick look at smart diapers and how  the “internet of things” is affecting consumer electronic retailers in an ever-connected world. 

Does everything need to be connected to our smart phones? 

IOT or the “internet of things” is the implementation of internet connectivity into everyday items such as electronic mirrors, AI toothbrushes and in this case: “smart diapers”. In many cases this connectivity offers real, useful enhancements. But does everything need to be connected to our smart phones? Do consumers really want to spend an additional $200 dollars on a toothbrush because it allegedly helps us clean our teeth more effectively? 

Well, whether we want it or not, there will be an ever-increasing tsunami of IOT products swamping the market over the coming years. There’s a tech-war of sorts which has companies scrabbling to produce the “next big thing”, or the “life-altering technological advancement” which is going to simplify our day-to-day even further. Again, in many cases this has a lot of benefits. For the most part however, it’s filling our homes with overly expensive and unnecessarily complicated “stuff”. 

The smart diaper: a pompous novelty or sophisticated improvement? 

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>image by https://www.cnet.com/news/the-smart-diaper-has-entered-the-building-at-ces-2019/

Again, whilst the smart diaper might sound like a complete waste of time, there are some features which can bring irrefutable benefits to parents. For example, being notified of when your baby has gone to the toilet during the night will allow parents to respond faster and refresh their diaper as soon as possible. This is particularly useful for parents whose babies are suffering from nappy rash. It can also be preventative with urinary tract infections and other loo-related irritants.

image by http://www.goodmonit.com

Then again, is it going to give new parents more to worry about? Do we really need all of this data on how often our babies and peeing or pooing? Are they going too often or not enough? Perhaps we’re not feeing them properly? It might seem like a little too much, but as the technology becomes more readily accessible to families of all incomes, such technology could work wonders in keeping our babies healthier and happier. 

In addition to that, these enhancements can and will improve the quality of care given to the elderly in assisted living facilities. There are many elderly care homes which are understaffed and might not be able to get around to checking on every resident as promptly as they’d like. However, with a simple notification via Bluetooth, it could offer care workers invaluable insight into who needs their adult diapers or “pads” changing. This can only bolster the overall quality of care and overall happiness of the elderly living through their twilight years. 

We’re just getting started 

The future is here, and consumer electronics retailers should be ready for the unexpected. Again, the smart diaper may or may not have come as a surprise to you, but you should be ready for things to get even weirder! Just look at how far we have come since the industrial revolution. We never expected to be flying internationally, let alone sending robots into space. So, it’s fair to say that a portable coffee maker / personal assistant robot combo might be closer than you think!