Google’s sister company launches smart diaper

Pampers has worked with Google’s sister firm to release a ‘smart nappy’ that monitors babies’ sleeping, eating and changing patterns amid growing concerns about privacy. ‘Lumi’ comes with two packs of nappies, two reusable detachable sensors and a WiFi-connected video monitor. The sensors detect any moisture in a child’s nappy and, if stool or urine […]

Pampers has worked with Google’s sister firm to release a ‘smart nappy’ that monitors babies’ sleeping, eating and changing patterns amid growing concerns about privacy.

‘Lumi’ comes with two packs of nappies, two reusable detachable sensors and a WiFi-connected video monitor.

The sensors detect any moisture in a child’s nappy and, if stool or urine is found, send a notification automatically to the smartphone app of a parent or carer with the Lumi by Pampers app.

The app can also monitor sleeping patterns, how often parents are feeding their babies and the humidity and temperature of a child’s bedroom. The data can be fed back into a smartphone no matter where in the world the user is.

Procter and Gamble, the parent firm of Pampers, has developed the product with Google’s life sciences sister company Verily, the Financial Times reports.

Both companies say any personal data will be sent just to parents – and aggregate data will just be used to improve the product.

Aggregate data includes all information taken from different sources but does not include the private information shared directly.

But privacy campaigners have raised concerns about the increasing amount of information smart phones and connected devices are hoarding from our day-to-day lives.

The company has not yet released a price for the digital diaper but it will be on sale in the US later this year.

Jeffrey Chester, executive director at the Center for Digital Democracy told the FT parents don’t recognise the ‘serious risks to their privacy,’

Mr Chester said Lumi’s by Pampers ‘clearly is part of a well-thought out corporate strategy to effectively enmesh the company into our increasingly digital lives’.

He said its introduction ‘illustrates how the lack of a US federal consumer data law places everyone – even those just born – at ever increasing risk’.

The product comes with several detachable sensors and a WiFi-connected video monitor allowing parents to watch children as they sleep and take key observations.

The sensor attaches to a large adhesive patch on the front of the nappy and can be clipped on and off.

The nappy will detect moisture as well as providing a constant track of how the child is sleeping and when it is being fed.

The data from the sensors and the 1080p wide-angle lens will be combined and funnelled into the app.

It will keep note of a variety of stats, including bedroom temperature and humidity.

It will be released later this year and be compatible with both Android and iOS.

Pamper’s says on its website: ‘Lumi makes it easy to track your baby’s feeding, diapering, sleep routines and key milestones.

‘With our all-in-one system, you can monitor your baby’s unique patterns and see emerging routines.’

Daily Trust reports that the company has not yet released a price for the digital diaper.