TEENAGE ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES WEARABLE TECH TO TACKLE COVID-19 TRANSMISSIONS FROM FACE TOUCHING

15-year-old from Bristol used lockdown to develop potentially life-saving gadget after parents contract Coronavirus.

£60,000 crowdfunding campaign launched to bring the device to market.

A fifteen-year-old entrepreneur from Bristol has developed a new wearable technology aimed at tackling one of the key transmission pathways of Covid-19 – face touching. The device, called a VybPro, is an intelligent wristband which vibrates to alert wearers every time they are about to subconsciously touch their face.

The patent-pending VybPro is the brainchild of tech-savvy Max Melia and his mother who came up with the concept two years ago as a way to reduce the spread of cold and flu. Max began developing a working prototype of the VybPro 16 weeks ago when both of his parents were struck down with Coronavirus. Inspired to do all that he could to help protect others – especially key workers, people with health vulnerabilities, commuters and people working in major cities – he devoted all of his spare time to launching his own tech start-up to turn the concept into reality. 

Worn on both wrists, it works by recognising gestures that are associated with hand movements towards the face. It combines position sending technology, with intelligent algorithms to distinguish between predicted face touching and other hand motions. A vibration on the device alerts the user when their hand is about to touch their face, bringing it into their conscious awareness. 

Enlisting the help of a product design team, to develop the technology and bring his vision to life, he has now launched a £60,000 crowdfunding campaign to get the device on the wrists of those who need it most.

Speaking about the project, Max said: “Watching this pandemic unfold on the news it was clear the devastating effect it was having on people lives’ across the world – however it wasn’t until I saw the severity of the virus first-hand, when my parents both contracted Covid-19, did I truly appreciate just what we were dealing with. 

“We came up with the concept a few years ago when my family were repeatedly catching cold and flu viruses from travelling in and out of London and I could see how easy it was to pick up germs – especially from using public transport. It was only when the World Health Organisation began urging people to avoid touching their eyes, nose and face to stop the spread of the virus from contaminated surfaces, did I realise that it could make a real difference in slowing the transmission of Coronavirus.

“With the assistance and technical expertise of the product design team I’ve now developed and tested a working prototype which uses intelligent algorithms which I think has the potential to become part of people’s ‘new normal’. 

“Now I need to raise at least £60,000 to be able to bring the product to market and have launched a crowdfunding campaign for backers to show their support for the project and be amongst the first to own the device or donate a pair to people in the community who need it most. 

“The main priority of this project is not to make money but to get it onto the wrists of those it can help keep safe. Any profits made from early sales via the crowdfunding site will be reinvested into providing free devices to organisations that help people such as NHS staff and nursing homes.

“I  believe that this device can make a real difference in the fight against Coronavirus and I’m determined to do all that I can to bring it to market. I really hope that the general public can see the potential and are inspired to get behind the campaign to fund the next stage of the development.”

The VybPro is designed and manufactured in the UK and will retail from around £89.99 for a pair of wristbands.

Available in a choice of two colours, it is made from waterproof silicon, is splash resistant and re-chargeable. It can easily be turned off when eating and drinking.

For more information or to support the crowdfunding campaign visit www.vybpro.com.