The Muve Gruve device sounds very similar to another device that I posted about a few months ago, check out the human audit trail related reading below. This one get on the intrusive technology list for one big reason, right from the company web page, it is targeted at risk management to help promote use through employers for employees to lose weight through lower premiums. I would personally prefer to see an item as such marketed to the individual to encourage use and the ability to lose weight and not a big brother type of device with strings attached to have an employer breathing down your back and blame you for the higher insurance group rates paid if you did not meet your goals, think about it. No that is not the way it is supposed to be, but how many things are the way they are supposed to be, in reality with all transparency and honestly if we all think about it, that is probably pretty close as to the scenario it will create. Next thing, you will find yourself fired and the employer will justify as you were the cause of their higher premium rates. 
Not to mention, this devices buzzes and bugs you when you are inactive too.
Or, there’s on other possibility of being given a Health Coach, who will encourage and show you how to lose weight, although some of the programs have been questioned of late as they may conflict with what your primary care doctor may be recommending, the Coach is there for the money, the doctor is there for your health.
Read what these poor kids in the UK are having to deal with, heart monitors to help them deal with their anger, no time to be a kid with a human role model, get your learning from the device and learn to behave yourself? Schoolchildren given heart-rate monitors to curb anti-social behavior. BD
Intrusive Technology?
Dr. Jim Levine of the Mayo clinic discovered that if people are active throughout the day by being reminded to move or stop being inactive they could keep their metabolism from shutting down and therefore be able to lose unwanted weight. Through his research he strove to better understand the benefits of non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and came up with the concept for a wearable device.
He determined the key was a system that could calculate an individual's metabolic pattern and measure calorie burn throughout a day's activity and then relay targeted caloric intake to the user. He needed a device that not only monitored and measured an individual's every movement in a 24-hour period but also prompt the individual to get up and initiate activity before their metabolism slows. The Pelegrin Partners licensed Dr. Levine's technology and founded the company to take this important weight management opportunity into commercial practice.
The clip on the Gruve was designed to integrate into the shape of the device and function on virtually any type of clothing or belt to be unobtrusive to the user. The Gruve uses vibration to notify the user it is time to get moving.
A targeted customer base is corporations looking to explore the possibility of reducing the cost of insurance premiums by improving peoples health through prevention rather that treatment and those who need that extra reminder to get up and at it to stay fit.
Hat Tip: Medgadget
Related Reading:
The Human Audit Trail to automatically track your fitness and sleep and a few other things…
The Wellness Programs: Payouts to Those Who Work Out - Insurers give discounts on premiums
High-tech gadgets hit doctor-patient relationships and more..
Intel Home Health Monitor PHS 5000 is here
2009: The Year We all Reboot and find some better filters to enhance life..
Allstate testing “brain fitness” software on older drivers
When Pay for Performance and $4.00 Generic Prescriptions Hit the Wall
Discrimination and Health Insurance: Big Brother in the Workplace and Beyond
(I realize I'm reviving a year-old post, but...)
ReplyDeleteThe Gruve gadget was recently featured in the Amazon Gold Box. I have to admit that I did not consider the pitch to corporate Big Brother--that's pretty creepy. In any case, I'm not sure there's much to worry about.
Since 9/3/10, the date of the Gold Box deal, there has been a stream of mostly negative Amazon reviews. It seems the install software is touchy, and the Gruve website is definitely in the running for Websites That Suck (go visit www.gruve.com and see if you can figure out how to read the FAQs, for instance).
Robert Gauthier, Muve's VP of Business Development, is trying to put out the fire with gasoline--commenting on each negative review that the reviewer is either lying or too lazy/stupid/ornery to contact customer support. (Several reviewers have noted that the phone number is difficult to find and staffed only with a voicemail message.)
With friends like that, Gruve doesn't need enemies. Good product (in theory), bad execution.
--Kathy Grace