Virgin Media’s wearable TiVo tech keeps the TV awake

Two UK teenagers have created a piece of wearable technology capable of controlling the Virgin Media TiVo box, even when the wearer falls asleep.

Ryan Oliver, 15, and Jonathan Kingsley, 14, students at Manchester Creative Studio, developed the KipstR as part of the cablenet’s Switched on Futures initiative, Broadband TV News reports.

The 3D printed wristband uses a pulse-oximeter to sense if the wearer is asleep or awake and then mimics the users’ TiVo remote control to pause, record or resume a show appropriately.

It measures a user’s heart rate to detect sleep before communicating with TiVo to pause and record the current program being viewed. When the user’s heart rate rises to ‘awake’ levels it can trigger Virgin Media’s TiVo boxes to resume the program.

Neil Illingworth, head of advanced technology and innovation at Virgin Media said: “We have been exploring the possibilities of connected entertainment for some time and are very excited to unveil KipstR. With emerging new technologies, it is possible to create almost anything, such as emotionally intelligent entertainment systems that can suggest shows based on your moods, or even harnessing brainwaves to control your television.”

Virgin Media will be trialling KipstR this Christmas.