After fitness tracking devices on your wrist, inside your shoes, in your headphones, and your clothing, where do they go next? If this Kickstarter campaign turns out to be a success, they can now also be inside your skipping rope.
As per the Kickstarter description, Sophia is a smart jump rope with handles that have electronics inside and can keep track of jumping metrics as you exercise. It connects with an app running on Android or iOS devices via Bluetooth. The handles hold all the hardware and it looks as if the rope can be replaced if needed. The grips are covered in leather and are designed to be comfortable for use while jumping. The handles have a small screen on them that shows how many jumps you have made while you exercise. Together the smart handles and app track calories burned jumps, and steps. The metrics are compatible with iOS Health and GoogleFit. Power for the handle comes from an internal battery that charges via a micro USB port on the handle. The battery will apparently last an entire month on a single charge.
Another interesting feature of the app is the ability to challenge friends. This is a feature designed to help motivate users to keep working out. After all, no one wants to let their friends beat them, even at something as simple as jumping rope.
FixFox, the company behind Sophia, is looking to raise €28,500 on Kickstarter, and it has managed to raise €21,147 so far with 7 days to go. Interested buyers will need to back the product with at least €29 to get one of the early bird units with a white/purple design. The skipping rope will start shipping to early backers in May of this year.
Interested? Head here.
