These cute robotic cat ears will nag you to fix your bad posture
Good posture makes you stand taller, breathe better, and will save you from looking like the Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
But slouching and hunching is all too easy when you're sitting at your computer or head down staring at your phone.
There's no real fix to bad posture other than to just straighten your back, but if you find yourself incapable or too lazy to do so, these mechanical Neko Electro cat ears might be just what you need.
SEE ALSO: This self-driving electric car might as well be your living room on wheels
Though SXSW has become more brand-washed than ever before, its spirit is still to highlight the weird and experimental in music, film and technology.
The Neko Electro is one such experimental gadget I came across while wandering the trade show portion at the Austin Convention Center.
Using a simple 6-axis accelerometer and gyroscope, the furry, cat ear-shaped headband can detect motion — specifically, when your back is bent and your head has dipped forward.
When your back is straight, the ears are still. If you start bending your back, the ears start fluttering and vibrating to remind you to straighten your spine.
It's a cute concept that pairs well for cosplayers, but I felt goofy wearing them.
Mechanical cat ears that move and vibrate when you start slouching 😻😺😸#SXSW #mashsxsw @mashabletech pic.twitter.com/IUSMtg2Rcy
— Raymond Wong 📱💾📼 (@raywongy) March 12, 2017
Personally, I'd probably go with one of the more discrete posture-reminding gadgets like the LUMOback, which vibrates when you slouch and can be worn underneath your clothes, or the pin-sized LumoLift that gives you a light zap to tell you to stand taller.
But who am I to judge you if you wanna rock the Neko Electro (which, for now, is not yet commercially available). You do you, because everyone else is just a hater. Also, these would be great for children who are prone to developing bad posture.
