Last week, Sony revealed that it applied for a SmartWig, a wearable device that looks a lot like your ordinary wig but functions as an aid to the visually impaired and can give directions to people travelling.

Not one to be outdone, Microsoft is working on its own wearable tech, a smart bra.  You might say that this is not something new as there is already the First Warning System, a smart bra laced with sensors for the early detection of breast cancer.  But Microsoft’s smart bra differs significantly, as it’s aim is not breast cancer detection but rather, to help women combat what’s called ‘stress eating’, with the end goal of keeping women wearers healthy.

Studies show that men and women’s eating habits are greatly affected by the level of stress they are experiencing, but women are far more likely to reach for that bag of potato chips, that tub of ice cream or devour an entire cake.

Microsoft believes that by knowing someone’s stress levels, it should be possible to divert their attention from binge eating to more productive and less destructive activities, such as going for a walk or run.  Microsoft’s published paper regarding the study outlined the results of a pilot project which involved four women who wore the prototype smart bra.  According to the researchers, when information on stress levels was delivered in a timely fashion, it “served as a health intervention to encourage the person to be more active or consume less food.”

Microsoft explained that the bra form-factor is the perfect wearable tech to collect electrocardiogram data as it’s worn close to the heart.  Still there are some drawbacks however, as the prototype only has a battery life of four hours.

“We conclude that building a wearable, physiological system (to combat overeating) is feasible.

“However, we will continue to explore how to build a robust, real-world system that stands up to everyday challenges with regards to battery life, comfortability, and being suitable for both men and women,” the researchers said.