en espa�l: El Innovador de Texas

February 2004

Watch your kids

A new system for helping parents keep track of their kids has hit store shelves. The system, developed by Austin-based Bluespan LLC, is called ionKids. The system features a bracelet, called a Wristag, for a child to wear and a device for parents, called a Base Unit, which is about the size of a remote control that parents use to locate the bracelet, and thus, the child.

The Wristag is tamper- and water-resistant and looks like a watch. It transmits a signal to the Base Unit up to 350 feet outdoors and 200 feet indoors, and if a child ventures beyond a pre-set distance from the Base Unit, the unit emits a signal to alert parents. The device then helps parents locate the child. It also alerts parents if someone removes or tampers with the Wristag.

Bluespan President Bruce Cummings said the device is not intended as an anti-abduction device but was developed to reduce the stress of temporarily losing a child in crowded places such as theme parks, shopping centers or airports. Up to four Wristags can be linked to the Base Unit, allowing parents to keep track of several children at a time.

The ionKids starter kit sells for $199.95 and includes a Base Unit, one Wristag, a recharger and decorationsincluding stickersfor the Wristag. IonKids products were introduced at 20 Comp-USA stores around the U.S. in January 2004, including two stores in the Dallas metropolitan area.

For more information, contact

Robert Frank, [email protected], 512-731-1303, or Bruce Cummings, [email protected], 512-415-6358