Tech company crowdfunds world's first 'pocket PT' with AI
LifeBEAM has already raised close to AUD1m through Kickstarter in its first month for its AI-driven personal trainer, Vi. The device consists of a wraparound neck band and ear plugs, it tracks the wearer's heart rate, distance covered, and calories burnt and features a personalised female voice that coaches the user to achieve fitness goals, encouraging you to push yourself or to slow down where deemed appropriate.

Vi, an AI personal trainer, has raised close to $1 million on Kickstarter.

There's a simple truth in fitness that nobody can work you as hard as a good personal trainer. The only trouble is, you have to schedule a time, make small talk, and shell out some serious money for the pleasure.

That is, of course, unless you're meeting up with Vi – the world's first digital personal trainer which boasts artificial intelligence to tell whether you're working yourself into the ground (or – more likely in my case – slacking off).

Existing as a pair of earphones and a wraparound neckband, Vi is the creation of tech company LifeBEAM, who reached out to crowd-funding platform Kickstarter to get their project off the ground.

It seems like everybody wants a PT in their pocket too, with the project raising almost $1 million in funds just a month after it was launched.

Vi works by tracking your speed, heart rate and the amount of calories you burn, while a personalised female voice offers advice like "It's time to push!" or "Slow down a little!" when you're out running or cycling.

And, as handy as it would be to have someone pushing you through your workouts, you have to admit that well, it all sounds a little annoying.

Because unlike having a real personal trainer – where the human standards of decency and rudeness apply – there's nothing stopping you from simply hitting the off button and rage-quitting mid-workout.

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There's even a feature where Vi will text you throughout your day, asking you things like "How are you feeling today?" and "How was your sleep last night?", in order to further judge you for downing two bottles of wine last night and right swiping everything on Tinder.

(Depending on how you look at it, she's either the healthy version of an ultra-clingy girlfriend or the type of personal trainer that wants to be besties with you outside the gym.)

Omri Yoffe, the CEO of LifeBEAM, believes Vi has the potential to radically change people's lives.

"Vi is the first true AI personal trainer, ready to help you lose weight, maintain your fitness, run your first mile or push you to new limits," says Yoffe in the Kickstarter promotional video.

"It will transform the way you work out, run and live healthily."

As great as Vi looks, we're doubtful that it will replace living, breathing personal trainers anytime soon – mostly because it can't point out flaws in your squat technique, or tell you when you've forgot to wear deodorant.

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