Just in time for the start of the Olympic Games in Rio, wearables are increasingly being offered for both the average athlete and the ambitious marathon runner. Analyzing and tracking one's performance during exercise has become a trend these days.
Today we are going to look at the Munich startup cosine° which promises a comfortable and precise heart rate measurement without a chest strap and reveals what distinguishes their technology from others.
The two founders and managing directors, Dr. Johannes and Greta Kreuzer, currently lead a nine-person team developing a solution for monitoring various vital parameters in the ear.
The startup’s success is evident from the numerous awards it has received since its founding, such as the German Smart Business Award in 2013 and the HVB Founders Mentoring.
The technology behind cosinuss° and what it is suitable for
cosine° develops sensors for the continuous measurement of several relevant vital parameters in the ear. Pulse rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, and blood oxygen saturation can be measured with the earconnectTMcosinuss° technology and forwards it to a smartphone/smartwatch, sports watch, or other device. The technology is suitable for applications in sports, medicine, and occupational safety.
The wearable monitors an essential function of the body: the Body temperatureThus, cosinuss° offers for the first time a simple and precise monitoring option that is intended to counteract dehydration, overheating and an imbalance in water and electrolyte balance.
This will result in even more precise and efficient training control and performance determination in the future.
Until now, continuous measurement of body temperature under everyday conditions, i.e. without impairing freedom of movement, appearance and radius of action, was not possible.
With the technology developed by cosinuss°, new insights can now be gained not only in sports but also in many other areas of science.
The founders of cosine°
The people behind the startup are: Johannes, 36 years old, who studied electrical and information engineering and received his doctorate in medical technology from the Technical University of Munich, and Greta, 30 years old, who completed her studies in technology and management-oriented business administration at the Technical University of Munich.
The two met during judo training. They ultimately came together as founders after Johannes received numerous inquiries about his sensor technology.
Hasn't this technology been around for a long time?
The founders agree that this technology does not yet exist:
That would be news to our patent attorney! The continuous and mobile measurement of body temperature alone is unique. The combination of vital parameters in one device is even more so!
Future plans & brand ambassadors
Body temperature and blood oxygen saturation are the two most important vital signs in medicine. The startup is currently serving the sports sector with a highly precise alternative to the chest strap that also measures body temperature.
This parameter is of utmost relevance in endurance sports, where hydration and body temperature management play a crucial role and can decide the race.
And what will happen in the future?
In August 2015, the Munich startup launched its product cosine° One launched, which replaces the chest strap with an app or sports watch. The recorded values can be exported via the app and used for further analysis.
In the future, the app will offer not only drinking recommendations and precise calorie calculations, but also a new performance parameter for highly accurate training control. The company is working with renowned universities, such as the Stanford University, the Cologne Sports University as well as the Technical University of Munich together.
The startup has also already secured well-known athletes as brand ambassadors. Jan Frodeno – Germany’s Athlete of the Year 2015, reigning IRONMAN World and European Champion, worldwide brand ambassador for Cosinuss.
Frodeno uses the cosinus° sensors in training, monitors his training values live and evaluates them together with his coach. The athlete also plans to participate and contribute to product development in the future. The triathlete has been the second brand ambassador since June 2015. Anja Beranek equipped with Cosinuss technology in all triathlon competitions.
So things are continuing to go uphill for the startup and the founders already have a recipe for becoming the next unicorn:
...by incorporating blood pressure measurement into our technology and then merging it with the iPhone. That would be the ultimate!
… and of course they will do so at the Munich location because:
John: I'm a Munich native. For me, there's no alternative!
Greta: Munich offers founders a wide range of opportunities, support in a wide variety of areas, and cooperation partners/clients. Access to universities and talent should not be underestimated! The local startup scene is also very vibrant and valuable. The exchange among founders is priceless. In short: Munich is a top location!
