A new wearable device called Spire was introduced Tuesday as a gadget designed to sense when the user is stressed or exhausted.
Spire is capable of measuring breathing patterns as well as the amount of steps the user has taken, according to PC Magazine.
The developers said they are aiming to help people reduce stress by lowering their cortisol levels and increasing endorphins.
"There are essentially five ways to do that," said Neema Moraveji, co-founder of Spire and director of Stanford University's Calming Technology Lab. "You can smile, laugh, eat, move, or take a breath."
Recognizing different breathing patterns allows the device to identify what these patterns might mean for a person's feelings at the moment, such as being relaxed, tense, out of breath, or focused.
"Breathing patterns are incredibly sensitive to state of mind. Spire measures over 10 characteristics of each breath cycle to assess levels of stress, focus, and more," Moraveji said. "Spire is like a wearable app for your day - giving you insight into your different states of mind along with fitness data."
The device sends real-time activity recommendations, such as engaging in breathing exercises or taking a walk, to help the user relax. The app currently only works with the iPhone or iPad.
Jonathan Palley, co-founder and chief executive officer of Spire, said the device was created for activity tracker owners that wanted their devices to keep track of more than just their movement, The New York Daily News reported.
"Whether in the gym, at work, or commuting in a car, Spire empowers users to perform their best throughout the entire day," Palley said. "The key breakthrough of using respiratory patterns to measure state-of-mind is that it allows us to provide feedback that is easy to understand and act upon. It's advanced science mixed with common sense."
Spire uses seven streams of raw sensor data, including a three-axis accelerometer, to detect breathing and activity, PC Magazine reported.
The device also charges wirelessly. It comes with a charging dish and has a battery that lasts about seven days before having to be recharged.
Spire is worn on the torso or hip, rather than the wrist. It also doesn't have to make physical contact with the skin to keep track of breathing.
Spire will be available for $149.99 when it begins shipping in September.
