A new baby monitor that has been co-developed by Apple and Google engineers just may be the "world's smartest baby monitor" to date. The device is made up of three parts: a wearable band, a charging feature, and a smartphone app.
The new "Sproutling" baby monitor is wearable tech that can be attached to an infant's leg through a hypoallergenic, machine-washable strap. It's comparable to a Fitbit and is capable of monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, temperature and motion.
Sproutling also comes with a charging feature that serves as a sensory device once the monitor is activated. It can detect changes in temperature and ambient noise.
The baby monitor also comes with a mobile app which a parent or guardian can install on smartphones, the Wall Street Journal reported. The mobile app doesn't contain an audio or video feed like traditional baby monitors do; instead, it features a visual display of the baby's condition using graphic represenations to show the baby's mood: happy, sleepy, cranky, moody, or awake. It also indicates how long a baby has been sleeping, and compares the time against the recommended number of sleep hours.
Apple and Google worked with pediatricians to develop the product that they hope will provide parents with full diagnostic information to help them take care of their babies. Co-founder Chris Bruce explained to The Verge that the baby monitor "communicates to parents in a way that doesn't cause anxiety."
The official product launch for is scheduled for March 2015 and will retail for $300. According to USA Today, however, Sproutling is available for preorder through the product website at a significant discount.
