Thinkie, a Seattle-area startup, has developed a wearable headband with sensors to monitor brain activity while users play games on a tablet or smartphone. This wellness device can track metrics such as mental speed, memory, concentration, attention, and prediction. The accompanying app provides real-time feedback on brain activity during different mental games. Users can also wear the device without the app to monitor brain activity during everyday activities, such as working on puzzles or playing musical instruments. The $250 device uses Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology, which measures changes in blood flow in the prefrontal cortex. Thinkie highlights that its system is backed by neuroscience research on cognitive training using fNIRS tech.
Initially targeting senior living communities, Thinkie has expanded to offer its device to consumers. The company also recently joined AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative startup accelerator program. Thinkie is a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Mitsui & Co., and a sister company to NeU Corporation, a technology partner of Mitsui. Led by CEO Kota Ageiwa, a former business development manager at Mitsui, Thinkie aims to promote brain health and cognitive functioning through its wearable brain activity monitoring device. The company’s mission is to emphasize the importance of keeping the brain active for longevity and quality of life.
In addition to the wearable headband, Thinkie offers a subscription-based app for $15 per month, which users can use without the device. This app provides users with mental challenges and feedback on their brain activity without the need for the physical sensor. Thinkie’s focus on scientifically proven results and cognitive training through fNIRS technology sets it apart in the wearable wellness market. The company’s research-backed approach aims to help individuals improve specific cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and prediction, through engaging mental activities.
Thinkie’s small team of less than ten people works out of an office in Bellevue, Washington. The company’s development of the brain activity monitoring device highlights a growing trend in wearable technology that focuses on cognitive health and wellness. By providing consumers with real-time feedback on brain activity during mental tasks, Thinkie aims to empower users to take control of their cognitive functioning and engage in activities that support brain health. With the support of AARP’s accelerator program and backing from Mitsui & Co., Thinkie is positioned to continue its mission of promoting brain health and cognitive well-being through innovative wearable technology.
The innovative use of fNIRS technology in Thinkie’s wearable headband sets it apart from traditional wearable devices that focus on physical activity monitoring. By measuring changes in blood flow in the prefrontal cortex, the device provides users with insights into brain activity during various mental tasks. Thinkie’s emphasis on mental speed, memory, concentration, and attention aligns with research on cognitive training and brain health. The company’s commitment to scientifically proven results and research-based cognitive training positions it as a leader in the emerging market of wearable brain monitoring devices.
With its expansion into consumer markets and participation in AARP’s accelerator program, Thinkie is poised to reach a broader audience and promote the importance of brain health and cognitive functioning. Through its wearable headband and accompanying app, Thinkie offers users the opportunity to track and improve their cognitive abilities through engaging mental activities. By leveraging the latest technology in brain monitoring and cognitive training, Thinkie aims to empower individuals to take proactive steps towards maintaining cognitive health and well-being. The company’s focus on brain activity monitoring and cognitive training reflects a growing interest in holistic wellness solutions that encompass both physical and mental health.
