doppel is a unique wearable that promises to help you stay calm and focused by beating to the rhythm of your day. Find out how doppel works today in our review.
What is doppel?
doppel (yes, spelled with a lowercase “d” at all times) is a wrist-based wearable that “works with your body’s natural response to rhythm to change how you feel on demand.”
In layman’s terms, doppel is a wearable device that vibrates on your wrist like a heartbeat. A faster vibration rhythm makes us feel more alert, while a slower rhythm calms you down.
As the makers of doppel explain, “the effect is similar to listening to upbeat or slower music.”
You can use doppel to stay focused or calm throughout the day. At times when you need high energy, you can use doppel to beat quickly, helping you stay alert and active. And at times when you need to relax, like after a long day at work, you can slow doppel down.
doppel Features
- Water and sweat resistant
- Charges via a bespoke charging base in less than one hour
- Compatible with all Bluetooth LE enabled smartphones
- Syncs data via the doppel app on your smartphone (via Bluetooth LE)
The Science Behind doppel
doppel might sound like a kooky invention, but it’s based on real science. The creators of doppel were encouraged by research showing how much of human life revolves around beats we hear throughout the day.
The basis of doppel is that humans don’t just perceive rhythms: we react to them on a fundamental level. As an example, the makers of doppel talk about things like:
-Two people walking next to each other will often fall into step without noticing
-The tempo of a song can naturally alter our breathing rate and heart rate
-When choir singers harmonize their voices, they also synchronize their heartbeats, at least according to one study by Swedish researchers. Those researchers monitored the heart rates of singers and found that when members of the choir sang in unison, their pulses began to speed up or slow down at the same rate. You can view that full study here.
-When it’s dark, and you hear a scary noise, you begin to feel scared and alert and your heart starts to pound.
In other words, as the makers of doppel explain, “The link between heart rate and how a person is feeling is well known.” You brain and body are constantly talking to each other. It’s a feedback loop that plays an important role in psychology.
doppel has also been studied independently by Dr. Manos Tsakiris, Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway University London, who led an experiment where participants completed a cognitive and reaction time test. Participants who were wearing a doppel beating at 100 to 120bpm committed fewer lapses than the control group (people who were wearing a doppel that was switched off).
Researchers concluded that “participants who felt the heartbeat-like vibration were more alert and focused.”
You can view the full results of that study here.
Meanwhile, the makers of doppel claim that their device is currently used by hundreds of people who use it to stay focused, get creative, remain calm while exercising, and perform other productive activities.
doppel Tech Specs
Here are some of the important technical specifications and materials used in doppel:
- Body Material: Stainless steel base with plastic top (70% PC, 30% ABS)
- Strap: Medical-grade straight or tapered silicon strap
- Dimensions: 37.5mm in diameter, 8.5mm thick
- Weight: 34g
- Battery: Rechargeable lithium ion battery (charges to 100% in under an hour using the included bespoke charging base)
- Waterproofing: Water and sweat resistant
- System Requirements: Compatible with Android 4.3 or later and iOS 5 or later, and all Bluetooth LE-enabled smartphones
Who Makes doppel?
doppel is made by a team of designers, engineers, and scientists. That team began working on doppel in 2013. Three years later, after a successful crowdfunding campaign, doppel is available to pre-order.
Key members of the team include Dr. Fotini Markopoulou (Co-Founder and Science Director), Jack Hooper (Co-Founder and Commercial Director), Andreas Bilicki (Co-Founder and Technology Director), and Nell Bennett (Co-Founder and Design Director). The co-founders met each other while working towards their Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc at both Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art.
You can learn more about the company and its founding team here. doppel is the trading name for a company called Team Turquoise Ltd.
doppel Pricing
doppel has not yet been released, but is currently available to pre-order at a price of £125.00 ($155 USD).
Shipping is extra. You’ll pay £5 for UK shipping, £10 for European shipping, and £15 for North American shipping.
when doppel is released to the public, it will have a final retail price of $179 USD (due to the volatility of the GBP exchange rate, they haven’t yet released final pricing in GBP).
Shipments are expected to start in March 2017. You can purchase doppel with a white or black strap, as well as a tapered or straight strap.
Inside each doppel box, you’ll receive one doppel, one bespoke charging base, one protective bag, and setup instructions.
doppel Refund Policy
All purchases come with a 60 day money back guarantee. The makers of doppel explain that their product comes with an adjustment period:
“doppel is very new and is unlikely to be something you have experienced before. You may need to give it some time to get used to. For that reason we have given you an extended return policy of 60 days. As long as your doppel is not damaged we will take it back and find another home for it. So you have a chance to give it a real go and see how you find it.”
Should You Buy doppel?
doppel is unlike any device ever made. It’s a wearable wrist-based device that lets you set a beat to correlate with your mood and activity throughout the day. The device is reinforced by scientific tests that show the importance a heartbeat has on our activity and mood levels.
In one study using doppel, participants performed better on alertness and cognition tests when their doppel devices were set to 110 to 120bpm. When you want to relax and calm down, you can set your doppel to beat at a much slower pace.
doppel may not be for everyone. Fortunately, the company has a 60 day return policy to help you decide whether or not the device is the right choice for you. doppel is expected to start shipping in March 2017 at a price of around $180 USD.