It’s been about 9 months since we heard anything about the Wii Vitality Sensor, which as it happens is the incubation period for humans.  Today, word hit that Nintendo has announced a press event with the American Heart Association on May 17th.  The invite doesn’t indicate what the event will pertain to, but since the Wii Vitality sensor monitors heart rate it seems like a logical assumption.

We know very little about the device, with the exception that it will be designed to help the user relax after a long and stressful day of work.  It will do this with a number of on screen queues while monitoring the wearers heart rate.

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Nintendo changed the face of video gaming when they introduced their Wii Fit.  But to what risk did the company take by suggesting that the generally out of shape and malaise get active?  Perhaps its the conspiracy theorist in me, but Nintendo’s latest device, the Wii Vitality Sensor, has been introduced to mitigate their risk.  That way the next time they’re sued when someone keels over from too much Wii Fit after a night of binge drinking, they can simply point to the heart rate monitoring device and suggest they put in place safety devices to prevent such over exertion.

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Getting that body in shape for the summer isn’t just as simple as jumping in the pool and knocking out some laps.  Nope, you’ve gotta hone your skills and measure your heart rate – just ask Michael Phelps.  The AquaPulse from FINIS uses infrared technology to measure your pulse by attaching a small clip to your ear and then tranmits the count through a bone-conduction headset.  It will be on sale this May for $139.99.

Full release after the ‘leap’

Utilizing Patented Bone-Conduction and Infrared Technology the FINIS Heart Rate Monitor Maximizes Your Swimming Workout

Livermore, CA – April 21, 2009 – FINIS, the Worldwide Leader in Technical Swimming Development, unveils today the “AquaPulse” heart rate monitor, a small slender workout accessory built for swimmers looking to maximize their workout through heart rate training. Featuring FINIS’ patented bone-conduction technology and a unique infrared heart rate sensor, the AquaPulse will be available in May 2009 for $139.99 at sport retailers world wide and at WWW.FINISINC.COM.

The FINIS AquaPulse uses an accurate infrared sensor that clips to the earlobe in order to pick up the swimmer’s heart rate. By measuring the light pulses due to capillary blood flow in the skin, the sensors calculate the number of beats/minute (b/m) that the body is working. The internal computer within the AquaPulse then audibly communicates this heart rate to the user using the revolutionary Bone-Conduction Technology, a unique sound transfer technology that communicates sound vibrations through the temple bone to the inner ear. Humans normally hear through air conduction, but because there is no air underneath the water, bone conduction provides the clearest sound quality possible. By simply turning the unit on, the user’s heart rate can be sensed and automatically communicated. All functions are integrated into one small unit that the user clips on to their goggle strap and rests on their temple.

The AquaPulse heart rate monitor consistently communicates the heart rate every pre-set time period. The user can program this time period from as little as 20 seconds up to 5 minutes, allowing for continuous feedback during training. It also features an instantaneous heart rate function. The user can simply press a button at any time and their most current b/m will be communicated.

“Current heart rate monitors are meant for running and dryland training, but are quite awkward for training in the water as athletes are hindered by awkward straps and watches. We created the new FINIS AquaPulse heart rate monitor specifically for swimmers so they could continually swim and understand their heart rate without stopping and train in their proper ‘heart-rate zone’ more accurately. Our heart rate  monitor features a water proof design that changes both how the heart rate is sensed and transmitted to the user,” says John Mix, President of FINIS.