Smart Cup Turns Hydration into a Science

For most people, drinking is a simple act of swallowing liquid. For those you prefer to keep track of every drop they imbibe, the perfect tool is now here. The folks at Ozmo, a two-year-old startup under the Groking Lab incubator, have perfected the science of body hydration with the Smart Cup, a device that optimizes fluid intake.

The Smart Cup looks just like a regular 16-oz thermos. But the similarity ends there; its design is leak-proof and spill-resistant, and it comes with a downloadable app that allows for precisely tuning hydration requirements with one's activity level.

Users enter their age, height, weight, routine and other basic data into the Ozmo Water App to begin the calibration process. The software also ties into other handy IoT devices such as Apple smartwatches to ascertain calorie expenditure - and therefore body fluid loss - to a high degree. Feedback reports can be generated daily, weekly, and monthly.

The gadget seems like a good fit for serious athletes, especially those dedicated to endurance sports and triathlons, where fluid loss can be rapid, leading to acute overheating, muscle fatigue, cramping, dizziness, headaches, and performance loss. But the Smart Cup may also be a great idea for people who just want to stay healthy.

"Hydration is probably one of the least understood basic aspects of daily life, says Ozmo CEO Serena Pau. "People don't realize how much water they lose during routine activities such as sleeping, walking, even using the restroom."

Some studies show that roughly three fourths of United States citizens suffer from constant dehydration, often unwittingly. Caffeine, sugar, and starchy foods are some of the culprits, along with the fact that the thirst reflex is often confused for hunger pangs, say nutritionists.

Health complications traceable to chronic dehydration include bladder, kidney, and colon disorders. Some 80% of kidney stone conditions result from dehydration, says Ms. Pau, adding that surgically fixing them costs $5 billion annually in the U.S.

The Smart Cup has double wall insulation that keeps the electronic components dry, and a triton plastic inter lining that protects from Bisphenol A (BPA) - a potentially harmful compound that appears in almost everything made of plastic nowadays. The cup's USB rechargeable battery lasts more than three weeks on one charge.