What’s the obsession with naming everything Zen. Zen-this, Zen-that. - And what does Zen have to do with commercial web services.
Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
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Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#12Stuff like this is neat but always feels a bit like a short-term bandaid.
I'd encourage folks here to check out programs like Egoscue, Alexander Technique, Gokhale method, etc for a more 'holistic' (quotes cuz its such a vague buzzword in health/wellness).
I'm halfway thru Egoscue and it's been amazing for beginning to restore my mobility from when I was a kid, but people should do their own research.
Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#13What’s the obsession with naming everything Zen. Zen-this, Zen-that. - And what does Zen have to do with commercial web services.
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Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#14Stuff like this is neat but always feels a bit like a short-term bandaid. I'd encourage folks here to check out programs like Egoscue, Alexander Technique, Gokhale method, etc for a more 'holistic' (quotes cuz its such a vague buzzword in health/wellness). I'm halfway thru Egoscue and it's been amazing for beginning to restore my mobility from when I was a kid, but people should do their own research.
great point! We're working to tie in long term posture restoration programs. What great/different is that you'll actually be able to track your posture improvements over time via the app
Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#15Wow, that looks so helpful! Seeing as it is subscription based, do you have a student discount available?
the student discount is coming soon! But we also have a generous discount available now for our launch.
Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#16I shared an office with a startup doing this in 2005, they still seem to be around.
Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#17Hi Alex and Daniel! This looks really cool and I believe I am in your set of target customers/potential early adopters.
Personally, I'd much moreso prefer a self-hosted option such as a desktop application with strong guarantees about limits on cloud upload over anything cloud-based for this use case, specifically around concerns about how the webcam data could be used/abused. I don't see any immediate FAQ page or somewhere I could determine this information. Not seeing this information gives me some immediate pause in trying out your application or signing up.
Similarly in addition to some discussion in your FAQs etc. around the limits of how the webcam imagery is used, I would personally love and feel more trust in the product if the FAQs could provide any data or transparency on how the training corpus takes into account issues of proper representation across ppl with different posture considerations (scoliosis comes to mind) as well as the overall representation of different demographics (race, age, gender) within that training set, and/or how the model training procedure defines or determines "correct" posture.
Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#18If the software and vision model are local what is the value given for the recurring fee? How is this better than a posture correcting garment or brace?
To answer your first question, we constantly improve the computer and mathematical models to improve the accuracy of the 'posture session'. We also offer in-depth analytics about your posture tendencies and also provide and constantly update libraries of exercises and (ergonomic) educational videos. Moreover, we constantly develop new features that users ask for, that are meant to tackle other parts of your wellness while you work (i.e. walk breaks, exercise breaks etc.)
Using a posture correcting garment or brace will actually make your muscles weaker, since they rely on external force to maintain your posture. This is very detrimental long-term and has a negative effect on your back health and overall health. They also don't help you build good posture habits, since you just have good posture while wearing a brace, but when you take it off, you're very likely to have bad posture again.
Re: Launch HN: Zen (YC S21) – Posture-correcting software via webcam
#19For some reason I jumped to expecting this to morph the display in the direction of slouch, (such as tilting and shrinking into the lower-left corner a bit say) encouraging you to move opposite (sit up/lean right) to 'get a better view' as though the monitor were a window into a 3D world.
Probably hard to implement, but have you considered anything like that? I imagine it'd be quite a nice subtle hint, that you'd subconsciously correct for even.
Just seeing/reading this submission made me correct my posture though, thanks :/.