Creating technology for children requires a… different… approach. Even so, myFirst’s new CareSip smart water bottle could be taking it all a bit too seriously. The company recently announced the new children’s tech as part of a larger lineup including a camera and a printer your kids can talk to. Yes, really.
But it’s that water bottle we keep coming back to. It’s being pitched for kids, but myFirst also wants adults to use the thing. Given the range of digital features, that’s not an idea you should discard. But how much information do you really need about your child’s drinking habits? And does a water bottle need biometric security?
CareSip activated
That is the CareSip water bottle’s main claim to fame. The lid is biometrically locked, giving access to its liquid contents upon a successful fingerprint scan. Parents will set up which fingers (and which kids) can access each water bottle. They’ll also receive timestamped access control readouts via a companion app. On the one hand, they’ll always know when the 530ml bottle was opened.
On the other hand, there’s no way to ensure the kiddos aren’t sharing with nearby friends. There’s no camera or DNA scanning. Yet. The CareSip is supposed to close if it’s handed to someone not on the approved list, but there are ways around that.
Another function is a temperature lock. If parents have loaded the CareSip with some delicious tea, the lid remains locked (to everyone) while the contents are still hot enough to burn. Anything warmer than 56°C keeps the water bottle closed until it’s all become a little cooler. So… not for storing your own coffee in, then?
The CareSip is constructed from stainless and medical-grade steel, plus the silicone straw section. The internal battery (yes, it needs charging) is rated for six weeks on a charge. USB-C tops the battery up in an hour and a half.
If you’re a prospective helicopter pilot, you’ll have to wait for this particular takeoff. myFirst may have announced everything, but the company hasn’t said when. CareSip’s pricing and availability will come at a later stage.
