Vishal Gondal is a well-known name in Indian tech circles. Having founded Indiagames (which was sold off to Disney for $100 million in 2011) and helped numerous other ventures get off the ground, Gondal has been focussing on the next generation of devices. Riding the big wave of wearables, Gondal has co-founded GOQii (pronounced Go-Key), a startup and a device that could potentially change the way we view wearables.
As we know there’s a whole lot of data that wearables gather constantly, but there’s often just an app or a virtual portal where you can view and adjust your fitness regime. This is not always ideal as studies have shown human motivation works better. It’s more intuitive, can be equally compassionate and scathing when required. This human touch is often missing in wearables.
Goqii aims to introduce just that by adding a human element to your workout. “This is where wearable technology meets the world’s best experts and coaches, who together are trying to help you make a shift in lifestyle,” Vishal Gondal, founder and chief executive of GOQii, told Re/Code.
Goqii itself is a free device, but users will be paying for the service of having human coaches who will work alongside the companion app to help you keep your workout goals. For Rs 9,999, you can get the service for a year, while for a six-month subscription, you would have to fork out Rs 5,999. The company plans to launch the device in US, UK, Singapore and UAE, but from this April, 1000 Indians will be able to join the pilot programme.
The subscription fee includes advice and motivation from the fitness coach and experts via video/audio calls and a messaging service. This puts you directly in touch with the fitness instructor and allows them to keep a closer eye on your workout. While it’s always easy to turn off a wristband or any other device which keeps telling you to pump it up, it’s much harder to do that with a voice, that you have become familiar with.
“The GOQii philosophy is driven by the passion for healthy and meaningful living. Having used many other wearable tech products, I felt that something was missing – they were just a bunch of gadgets, apps and online data-crunching solutions, which lacked sustained engagement, motivation, customized advice or a human connection. I needed something more than data; I was looking for a complete solution for a more fulfilling way of life. With GOQii we have created the solution,” Gondal said in a press statement.
Source: Technology News
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