We said hearables were going to be big in 2017 and startup Bodytrak is getting firmly on board with the trend with its wireless in-ears that can measure core body temperature, heart rate and more.
Tapping up the ear due to its proximity to the brain, the bulky-looking, water resistant buds let you listen to music. They also pack in sensors that can deliver core body temperature readings which have been validated against a gold standard medical device (the tympanic ear thermometer).
The Bodytrak buds also produce real time heart rate readings to a ECG gold standard. Additional metrics recorded include VO2, speed, distance and cadence.
Read this: The best hearables to look out for
Data is sent wirelessly to a cloud-based analytics platform, which is available via a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or internet hub. This means users or coaches can identify physiological changes.
We say coaches, because the Bodytrak team is pitching this at serious athletes who already know what these more advanced metrics mean for improving performance, reducing injury or even detecting illness. While a professional model is the priority, though, there is a consumer version planned as well.
This tech is already being trialled with professional cycling teams, English Premier League football teams and rugby clubs but it's not just about appealing to the super fit. Defence, health and energy providers are getting in on the smart earbud action too.
The Bodytrak hearable is expected to land in summer 2017 and while pricing has yet to be confirmed, the team tells us that it will be in line with other fitness tracking hearables like the Bragi Dash and Jabra Sport Elite.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.