A teen from the United Kingdom invented a watch to remind people not to touch their faces, keeping them from catching the COVID-19 virus.
While touching the face is soothing, it is not currently advised to do this especially when outside due to the easy transmission of the virus into our bodies.
To prevent this, Max Melia, 15, from the UK invented Vybpro. It is to stop the user from subconsciously touching his face and possibly contracting the coronavirus.
According to the product’s site, the watch looks generally as the usual health tracker watch. It alerts the user from keeping its hand off his face through movement-sensing technology.
In a CNN interview, Max said he is aware how devastating the pandemic is in countries around the world. However, he realized its severity when his parents contracted COVID-19.
He then immediately thought of a way to help people to prevent this simple gesture that may cost their lives.
The device recognizes gestures that are associated with hand movements towards the face. Using the movement-sensing technology and algorithms, the watch will vibrate every time the hands get close to the face.
“I knew that this was the only time I had to try and make a difference and so I’ve had to be really committed, using my time away from school in lockdown wisely,” he said.
I’m proud of where we are but I know that to get over the final hurdle it will take even more guts.”