This smart bracelet will electrocute you if you don’t exercise enough

It is the wristband that could literally jolt you in action – by giving its wearer an electric shock if they don’t reach their fitness goals or hit their work deadline. Called Pavlok, it uses the idea of positive reinforcement to try and change a user’s behaviour. Its makers hope it could go on sale this year – and be far more effective than current tracking bands. The firm has raised over $100,000 in investment already, and is planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign soon to raise money for its first batch of bracelets, says founder Maneesh Sethi. ‘It’s not about the shock as much as it is about training your brain to do the things you say you’re going to do,’ Sethi told Boston.com. Negative reinforcement ‘really does make people pay attention,’ he said. According to the firm’s website,’Pavlok offers a simple, wearable device that helps consumers form better habits. ‘Using psychologically proven and user tested algorithms, the Pavlok wristband enforces users’ commitments to fitness, productivity, and more — even if that means ‘sparking’ their commitment by delivering a mild (but jolting) electric shock.’