Don’t leave me at home; Techmeout
Six Valencians in Guangzhou is a lot of Valencians, and it’s not surprising that if they didn’t teach the Chinese to make a passable paella, they would almost certainly come up with an idea for the next best thing, which is what CEO Lamberto Tarín explained to Valencia International.
The six friends got together to create Techmeout, a pun on ‘Take me out’, a reference to the fact that their business is ‘wearables’, accessories or clothing that we take out of our homes and that enable us to stay fit, healthy, safe and/or calm.
And it all started funnily enough when Lamberto gave up smoking in May 2013 and started jogging. In doing so he entered the world of the technology of the long distance runner, and bought his first heart rate monitor.
The more he thought about it, the more he realised that this sector was evolving quickly, and that new generations of wearables were being invented, and old ones, like the cumbersome chest band, were disappearing.
By this time the six friends had dispersed; four were back in Valencia, one in Korea and only one stayed in China. Together they pooled their abilities and created Techmeout.
Lamberto, who had studied at the Agustinos school in Plaza España, and later Business Studies at Valencia University, started researching and teaching himself the necessary skills, such as setting up a website. Kiko is an architect and industrial designer, Alberto works in logistics but is also a Triathlon athlete, Nacho provides engineering skills from Korea, Javier is also a Business graduate, and Ramon, still in China collaborates while still working as a Purchasing Manager for an Alicante company.
Lamberto’s stay in China was also through his work with an Alicante company, the Francisco Gomez wine producer based in Novelda. Lamberto’s work there ended when the company was sold to a Chinese client, and although at first he worked trying to get Chinese investments for Spain, he was anxious to work for himself and start on his own project. He was probably also keen to be a bit closer to his Italian girlfriend, who lives and works in London’s Notting Hill.
Lamberto pointed out, in excellent English, that Guangzhou with a population of 17 million, is very similar to Valencia in climate and in its main products, such as ceramics and shoes, and that a lot of Spanish firms have relocated there
A wearable may sound like a reasonably sensible article of clothing among a wardrobe of unthinkably bad taste, which most British people are accused of having, but it is in fact an electronic device that can form part of your clothes or just be an accessory.
These devices are constantly being developed and if at present they can measure your heart beat, analyse your physical activity, track your location, correct your poor posture, analyse the quality of your sleep and share this information directly with your doctor, dietician or personal trainer, by the end of 2015 Lamberto is convinced that they will also be able to warn people if they are going to have an epileptic fit or heart attack; one reason why insurance companies are very interested, and one of the biggest in Spain has asked Lamberto for a presentation to its staff.
There is even a possibility that these devices will soon be able to detect your mood, and even change it, which is why I have a bulk order in my wife’s name even before it hits the market, and a few seconds before she hits me.
For the moment Techmeout has almost 200 products available through its web site, two of which, produced in Silicon Valley California, he showed me.
The Posture Activity Coach is a replacement for the grandmother who used to tell you to “sit up straight!” and buzzes you if you are slouching, while Moov is an electronic personal fitness trainer that pushes you to your limits without danger and without attitude.
Another product, Jabra, checks all your important functions such as heart rate, speed, pace and location while you’re running, at the same time that you can listen with it to your favourite music.
Techmeout is the most important supplier of these products in Spain, and in some cases is the only supplier, all through its website http://techmeout.es/
Although currently focused on the Spanish market, they already have clients in other countries such as the UK, Austria and Germany.
One important area, the next next big thing, is the baby and children’s market. Devices to keep track on your baby or child when you’re not with it, are already available or in the pipeline, and the tragedy of cot death could soon be a thing of the past as a baby’s vital functions are constantly monitored.
Pets are also a future market, as your demanding dog takes you out for its vital walk and all unearthly hours; although dumping it at a petrol station in the middle of nowhere will no longer be an option.
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