Valencell, Inc & iriver Ltd. Unveil Fitness Monitoring Earbuds at CES

Related: Fitness, Earbuds, Valencell, iriver

Valencell, an innovator of mobile health and fitness technology, and iriver Ltd., an award-winning global consumer electronics company, introduced iriver ON today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. iriver ON is the first Bluetooth audio headset powered by Valencell's PerformTek Precision Biometrics, a licensable sensor technology. Because of the PerformTek sensor technology, iriver ON accurately monitors more real-time physiological data than any other fitness monitor -- heart rate, distance, speed, cadence, VO₂max (aerobic fitness level) and calories burned. iriver will launch its own complementary smartphone fitness application, in conjunction with the product.

The retail price will be established next month. The PerformTek logo will prominently appear on the iriver ON packaging. The unit will be available for sale worldwide through sporting goods retailers, consumer electronics retailers, online outlets, and other channels, by March 2013. The Valencell team will demonstrate PerformTek sensor technology in Valencell's booth in the South Hall #26315, where Valencell will run a series of fitness challenges measuring participants' VO₂max.

"We're excited to partner with Valencell to launch such a compelling product into the mobile fitness marketplace," said Henry Park, iriver's CEO. "There's been great demand, so we're thrilled to be the first to market."

Headquartered in South Korea, iriver is widely known for its digital audio players and other portable media devices.

"We have been targeting licensees that fill key segments and distribution within the industry. Working with iriver is a tremendous opportunity for Valencell to associate with such a respected global brand," said Valencell CEO and co-founder, Dr. Steven LeBoeuf. "The mobile apps and product offerings that PerformTek Biometrics enables are virtually endless, and we are looking forward to seeing several PerformTek-powered fitness monitoring products and applications in the marketplace in 2013."

The iriver ON product will be shown in iriver's suite at the Venetian and in its shared space in the South hall #32050.

Valencell provides licensees like iriver with a PerformTek licensing package including a sensor design, a DSP chip loaded with biometric firmware, and an application programming interface (API) for partners to easily develop their own mobile fitness applications. Additionally, iOS and Android software development kits are available now for licensing. Other PerformTek-powered form factors, such as arm bands and wrist devices, are on the horizon.