Ink-U-Beta launches digital sun protection

The startup Ink-U-Beta AG with headquarters in Zug has created the UV sensor sun-a-wear for monitoring personal exposure to sun radiation. According to a press release, the digital sun protection is based on technology developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). The driving force behind the development of the sun-a-wear UV sensor is engineer Samuel Welten, who studied at ETH and completed a doctorate in the field of sensors and machine learning.

“For me, it was important that I develop a device that is worry-free all round, which also never needs to be charged. The decision to power this sensor by solar energy rather than with batteries was totally logical,” explained Welten. The aim was to make it easier for people to be in the sun safely and reduce negative long-term consequences of high UV exposure, such as skin cancer and skin ageing. According to the press release, Switzerland has the highest incidence rates of skin cancer in Europe.

This digital sun protection consists of two elements: an ultralight micro UV sensor and the app. The sensor is only 4cm long, weighs just 6g and can be worn as a bracelet or clipped onto clothing. It measures the UV radiation in the sunlight, is waterproof and is solar powered, so does not need charging. The measurements are sent to the smartphone app via Bluetooth Low Energy every few seconds. Users can therefore monitor UV exposure in real time, receive personal protection tips and be sent warnings if critical personal UV dose limits are reached.