At first glance the silicone wristband could be mistaken for one that tracks your heart rate when you are doing exercise.
However, the wearable technology, called a Moodbeam, isn’t here to monitor your physical health. Instead it allows your employer to track your emotional state.
The gadget, which links to a mobile phone app and web interface, has two buttons, one yellow and one blue. The idea is that you press the yellow one if you are feeling happy, and the blue one if you are sad.
Aimed at companies who wish to monitor the wellbeing of staff who are working from home, the idea is that employees are encouraged to wear the wristband (they can say no), and press the relevant button as they see fit throughout the working week.
Managers can then view an online dashboard to see how workers are feeling and coping. With bosses no longer able to check in physically with their team, Moodbeam hopes to bridge the gap.
I – Word Understanding
Bridge the gap – to give support
Dashboard (business)– an information management tool
II – Have Your Say
1, Have you ever been in a bad mood that you just can’t shake? Or had a pile of work but realized you’re not in the mood to get it done? What are the factors that affect your mood and how do you get over a bad mood?
2, If you are wearing this Moodbeam wristband, which button would you press? Are the two buttons enough to describe your moods? Which moods would you like to add and what color would you like to use to represent those moods?
a, Happy
b, Sad
c, Afraid
d, Angry
e, Surprised
f, Excited
g, Disgusted
h, Disappointed
3, How important do you think it is to let your boss know of your mood?
4, Where else and how else do you think we could use this wristband concept?
