It’s true that technology is moving faster than ever. Everyday the news is peppered with stories of startups that claim their app or device will to change the way we live and make our lives better than ever before. But in the context of the mobile revolution and parallel app gold rush, it’s rare to hit upon something that truly stands apart in its field. Then you find Melon.
Wearable technology for your brain…seriously? Melon, co-founded by Laura Berman, is a brain activity measuring headband and companion app that helps users understand and improve focus across activities ranging from studying to exercise. Berman and her co-founder Arye Barnehama met as undergraduates studying cognitive and computer science at Pomona College and doing research using EEG technology. Inspired by how EEG was working to aid in the treatment of ADHD and dementia in a clinical setting, Berman and Barnehama set out to create a consumer product that would put EEG technology to work to improve day to day life.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign in which Melon met and exceeded their goal (ultimately raising over $290 thousand dollars) Berman and Barnehama were selected to join the business incubator LaunchpadLA. While Melon isn’t the first EEG headset for the consumer market, it’s distinguished by its user friendly data analysis software and sleek, streamlined design. Berman says, “Where we’re different is we don’t really focus on the numbers. If you just saw your raw brain wave activity, you’d have no idea what was going on. Our platform is based on giving you insights into the activity so you can understand what the data means for you, and you can learn to improve from that.” Technology that helps us learn to improve? That’s an idea we can all get behind.
So next time you’re having trouble focusing, slap a Melon on your melon. Melon headbands will hit stores in 2014.
