Stress & anxiety tech that teaches people to breathe properly
- Written by The Times
Innovative new breathing tool bobi (breathe out, breathe in) officially launches in Australia and takes centre stage as Gold Winner at the Good Design Awards
bobi, a groundbreaking new product designed to help people to manage stress and anxiety by the learning and adoption of proper breathing techniques, has officially launched and earned a prestigious Gold Award at the Australian Good Design Awards.
Developed by renowned psychologist and war crimes investigator Damien Thomas, bobi represents a significant leap forward in the management of stress and anxiety in Australia. It is an innovative tool meticulously designed to optimise breathing techniques, serving as a foundational pillar for enhancing health and wellbeing. Its patented and awarded design stands out as a unique solution that redefines the importance of conscious breathing in fostering mental and physical health.
Damien, 47, from the Gold Coast in Queensland, has been the driving force behind bobi, ensuring its effectiveness in promoting optimal breathing. A psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in the field of national security and war crimes investigations where stress and anxiety were inseparable from his work environment. Damien has spent years working in high-risk countries.
When regulating his own emotional state became part and parcel of his job, Damien discovered the benefits of breathing in the correct manner and carried his experiences in the field into his practice as a psychologist. He observed how correct breathing techniques could become part of everyone’s ability to deal with stress and anxiety. However, many individuals struggle to adopt the habit of practicing these breathing exercises regularly once they’ve learnt the correct technique. This is especially pronounced in peak moments of stress and anxiety.
Fast forward to 2023 and Damien is now the founder of bobi - a simple, durable, patented device to coach its users in a preferred breathing practice. bobi was conceived to address this challenge by providing a tangible, portable solution that physically synchronises breathing with the device.
“Different chapters of my life have placed me in high-stress environments where managing emotions was a necessity, and that is what gave me the foundational knowledge of creating a product like bobi,” said Mr Thomas.“Today, as the founder of bobi, I am proud to have developed a device that will support people in managing their stress and anxiety. Winning a Gold Award at the Australian Good Design Awards is just a testament to the hard work and innovation my team and I have put into this product. It is my hope that bobi will become a trusted companion on the journey to improved well-being for individuals from all walks of life."
bobi's three settings—two and a half seconds, four seconds, and six seconds—allow users to start at their comfort level and progressively extend their breath, ultimately aiming for the optimal breathing rate of five and a half seconds in and five and a half seconds out.
bobi is set to revolutionise the way people manage stress and anxiety by making optimal breathing a tangible and enjoyable practice. Its recognition with a Gold Award at the Australian Good Design Awards underscores its groundbreaking contribution to the field of health and wellness.
Key features and benefits of Bobi include:
Optimal breathing: bobi champions the cause of optimal breathing, a foundational skill proven for achieving holistic wellbeing.
Stress alleviation: Regular engagement with bobi can be instrumental in diminishing stress and creating a sense of tranquility.
Versatility: The compact design of bobi ensures its usability anywhere and anytime, making it an indispensable companion for daily routines.
Comfort-centric design: bobi's patented design ensures unparalleled comfort during its usage.
Swift integration: Designed to mimic the body's natural rhythm, bobi ensures users can adapt to its functionality without any hitches.
Tactile guidance: bobi employs a tactile guide to foster better breathing, emphasizing active and immersive learning.
Targeted stimulation: It offers precise stimulation on the back of the hand for enhanced results.
Diverse settings: bobi is equipped with three distinct settings to cater to varied breathing rates.
Wearable elegance: Its wearable design ensures that bobi seamlessly integrates into daily routines.
Enhanced grip & hand fortitude: Beyond breathing, bobi also plays a pivotal role in amplifying grip and hand strength - which is fast being recognised as a key health marker.
Personalised approach: bobi has been designed to incorporate interchangeable palm pads, adding a unique, personalised touch to address consumer preferences.
bobi operates on three foundational principles: sight, touch, and guidance. It employs a tactile guide for enhanced breathing coaching, provides targeted stimulation on the back of the hand, and boasts multiple settings for diverse breathing rates.
The bobi was designed by Australia’s leading product design and developmental consultancy Design + Industry. It can be purchased via https://meetbobi.com/ and retails for $199.
For more information about bobi, please visit https://meetbobi.com.