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Gamification could be the (expensive) way to get your kids to brush their teeth properly

If you’ve ever despaired of getting your kids to brush their teeth properly without close parental supervision, Kolibree may have the solution: a smartphone-linked toothbrush that reports back to an iPhone or Android app how well they did, and creates family league tables to turn tooth-brushing into a competitive sport.

Engadget reports that the Bluetooth-connected toothbrush is equipped with an accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope. You calibrate it to the shape of your mouth first, and it uses this model – together with data supplied by dentists – to get a percentage score of how well each Kolibree user in the family cleaned their teeth.

It won’t, however, be cheap: each toothbrush will cost between $100 and $200, though family packs may make it a little cheaper. It’s expected to be launched in the summer.

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Comments

  1. Love the idea, waiting for details about replacement parts and durability, though. Especially for that price!

    • Ben Lovejoy - 10 years ago

      Yes, I’m assuming they are teaming up with an established manufacturer to ensure most parts are interchangeable, but you certainly wouldn’t want to spend $200 on a toothbrush that couldn’t be repaired or which had limited brush-head availability!

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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