Ovü
Kathryn Bauer
The Ovü is made up of a wearable thermometer that allows women to track their fertility in an easy and stylish way.
Classes
Personal Expression & Wearable
Keywords
wearable technology, thermometer, basal body temperature, fertility, women, intimate apparel
Description
Ovü is made up of a lace arm band, with a highly sensitive thermistor attached on the inside that picks up changes in the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) of a woman.
The thermistor takes the temperature in the underarm and tracks the changes from day to day. When the change is significant enough to imply a hormonal change (most commonly caused by ovulation), the device triggers a melody to play.
This offers a woman an easy and stylish way to track fertility.
The thermistor takes the temperature in the underarm and tracks the changes from day to day. When the change is significant enough to imply a hormonal change (most commonly caused by ovulation), the device triggers a melody to play.
This offers a woman an easy and stylish way to track fertility.
Personal Statement
In speaking with someone about thermometers and my interest in temperature, monitoring and tracking, I was lead to the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) thermometer.
This thermometer, used by women to detect changes in temperature (which typically indicate ovulation), was interesting because of the specificity of the read-out, as well as the amount of effort needed to effectively use it. It seemed like such an effort to obtain the information and then after all that, the woman has to "get in the mood." It seemed almost counterproductive.
This thermometer, used by women to detect changes in temperature (which typically indicate ovulation), was interesting because of the specificity of the read-out, as well as the amount of effort needed to effectively use it. It seemed like such an effort to obtain the information and then after all that, the woman has to "get in the mood." It seemed almost counterproductive.
Background
A womam trying to get pregnant (or in very small instances, the reverse) can track her temperature, using a Basal Body Temperature (BBT) thermometer, in order to find out when she is most fertile. The process is described below:
“To measure your BBT, use an older oral glass/Mercury thermometer, or a special BBT thermometer available at some pharmacies. For glass thermometers, shake it down before going to bed, and leave it close by and within reach. As soon as you awake, with minimal movement, put the thermometer in your armpit, next to the skin, and leave it for ten minutes. Record the readings for three to five consecutive days.”
“To measure your BBT, use an older oral glass/Mercury thermometer, or a special BBT thermometer available at some pharmacies. For glass thermometers, shake it down before going to bed, and leave it close by and within reach. As soon as you awake, with minimal movement, put the thermometer in your armpit, next to the skin, and leave it for ten minutes. Record the readings for three to five consecutive days.”
Audience
The intended user of this wearable technology is women, ages 25-40, who track their ovulation in order to determine their most fertile time of the month.
User Scenario
A woman wears the Ovü on her arm. The thermometer constantly takes in temperature in the underarm and tracks the changes. When the change is significant enough to imply a hormonal change (usually because of ovulation), the device triggers a melody to play.
Implementation
Ovü is a lace arm band, with a highly sensitive thermistor sewn inside, that can be worn to bed to detect changes in temperature that can predict times of hightened fertility.
Additional Documents
- Untitled - Main Image