Amazon.com Inc. has unveiled its new contactless bedside device that tracks people’s sleep, Halo Rise, as part of its efforts to further expand its presence in the wellness market.
The US online retail giant said Halo Rise’s system uses contactless, low-energy sensors to monitor an individual’s sleep quality and conditions. It analyzes room temperature, humidity, light, and the user’s breathing patterns to understand why they have or have not slept well.
The insights can be found on the Halo app.
The sleep gadget, which would retail for $139.99 once it starts shipping later this year, uses an algorithm that has been taught and verified against overnight polysomnography, Amazon stated.
It utilizes technology that automatically tracks the user once they get into bed without pressing any buttons or charging the device regularly.
In addition to tracking, Halo Rise comes equipped with an alarm, a wake-up light simulating sunrise, and a speaker.
Concerns About Sensitive Health Data
Similar to its peers, including Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google LLC, Seattle, Washington-based Amazon has invested in developing consumer health-tracking devices.
However, the company’s efforts to support the health tech space have sometimes resulted in scrutiny from regulators due to the sensitive data it requires users to provide, such as body fat percentage through Halo Band.
The new device was designed to be an alternative to the tech company’s Halo Band, allowing users who prefer to monitor their sleep overnight without wearing a wristband or smartwatch.
Amazon said privacy is crucial to its work, and health data gathered by Halo Rise, which is not equipped with cameras or microphones, will be encrypted. It also stated that Halo Rise is not a medical device, nor was it approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Furthermore, the online retailer is exploring beyond health tech, announcing in July its plans to acquire US primary care organization One Medical for $3.5 billion.
