Technology designer FreeWavz has launched a campaign to gain funding for the creation of a new set of earphones designed to collate health and fitness metrics, while also looking to cater for the safety of cyclists and joggers.

Designed by otolaryngology specialist Dr. Eric Hensen, the earphones will operate without the need for any other wearable tech, while also offering wireless connectivity to music streaming, a step counter and heart rate and oxygen saturation monitoring.

Using voice commands, the product will allow exercisers to pause and change music without having to look at their connected device, with music also being paused to take phonecalls on the move.

The Bluetooth-powered device will connect to a smartphone, where a piece of software will collate health metrics to be displayed and stored, much like other wearable technology worn on the wrist.

Given its position in the ear, the device will also be able to give users an audible insight into the progress and results of their workout without them having to look at a device as they exercise.

The earphones also feature an extra speaker above the standard earbud to allow users to generate their own mix of sound, which could help cyclists and runners to set a mix for themselves that allows them to both listen to music and also keep their ears alive to the sound of passing cars.

Using his expertise, Dr. Hensen has also designed his invention in such a way that they will not fall out of users’ ears should they take part in gymnastics, or while conducting exercises on the gym floor.

FreeWavz has so far built prototypes of the earphones, but is seeking to gather US$300,000 (€223,000 £178,000) in order to enable its first production run.

The earphones follow the recent announcement from Indian company Ducere that its smart shoes offering haptic feedback to the wearer will soon be released, with these two developments hinting at a shift away from the conventional wristband wearables.

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