Philips Rationalizer tells the stressed to chill out

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 13 Oct 2009 at 14:37

If emotions are getting the better of you while trading online, The Rationalizer may be just the thing to tell you when it's time to take a break.

The prototype unveiled by Philips Electronics and ABN AMRO detects day traders' stress levels so they can "time-out, wind down and re-consider their actions," the companies claim.

Users wear a device called the EmoBracelet that senses stress and makes an accompanying lighted bowl, or EmoBowl, change colour and flicker from yellow to red as emotions become more intense.

Researchers at Philips, Europe's biggest consumer electronics maker, say home investors often do not act rationally.

"Their behaviour is influenced by emotions, most notably fear and greed, which can compromise their ability to take an objective, factual stance," they claim.

Although not in production, Geert Christiaansen, chief of business development at Philips Design, says the prototype is part of a broader effort by Philips to help people cope with stress and the technology could be used in an array of other products.