By Elton Gomes
Smart watches and related wearables have come a long way since their inception. Acting as more than just timekeepers, smart watches are known to have cellular connectivity, GPS navigation, and are also able to show message notifications. Besides being known for several other features, the demand for smart watches has been increasing. And they have become a must-have for almost every person who wishes to stay connected all the time.
Smart watches can be more than just electronic devicesthey can also be designed for youth in a way that piques their curiosity. This is exactly what Sanskar Sharma, co-founder of Gekko Hybrid Smartwatch, has done. Sharmas company, Sanzar Future Teq, launched the Gekko smart watch with an aim of not only developing creativity and responsibility in kids, but also helped in developing their independence. The Gek?k?o? GX1 Hybrid Smartwatch? has been known to cater to ?the youth aged 14 and above, and it offers more than 15 advanced safety, security, and social features.
Coming up with the product
While conducting market research, Sharma and his team saw an opportunity in the smart watch segment. Sharma also noted the growing trend of accessories such as watches, bracelets etc. Since our brand aims to deliver tech-friendly, fashion-forward products of desire, we felt we had the right ingredients for the right product to kickstart our brand. Hence, combining technology and fashion led us to coming up with the Gekko GX1, Sharma told Qrius.
Elaborating on the watchs features, Sharma said, The watch comes with a host of features that would appeal to individuals who want a trendy, yet rugged watch that provides fitness statistics and notifying capabilities. Additionally, the watch displays weather data such as air pressure, temperature, altitude that would appeal to folks who enjoy the outdoors or who are just plain curious. Sharma added that the Gekko smart watchs battery does not require charging and can last almost a year. Moreover, it can be re
Sanskar Sharma, co-founder of Sanzar Future Teq.placed at any local watch store.
Sharma believes that the future is bright for smart watches in India. Along with increasing disposable incomes and mobile penetration, we believe that India will see bigger growth than what has been forecasted, as consumer aspirations will only grow. Therefore, the decision to enter this category became a no-brainer, Sharma said when asked as to why he chose to design a smart watch.
Youth and technology
Considering the mammoth levels of information around us, a large part of todays youth can be said to be addicted to technology and gadgets. Would it then be wise to design a gadget that aids their addiction? Sharma says, Our product, in addition to upping the style quotient of its user, can also provide basic fitness data such as steps taken, calories burned, distance covered and data on the users sleep pattern. By providing these features in an attractive form factor of a watch, we believe our customers will use our product longer than a regular smart band watch. He believes that his design will act as a healthy distraction as our consumers will always be in the know of their fitness data, can work towards their fitness goals, and lead a healthy lifestyle thus leading to overall well-being.
Sharma then explained the reasons as to why he directed his product towards the youth. He said that the youth are tech-natives, (youth) are always connected and will be ones who will spend nearly $330 billion annually by 2020. For them, their lives will revolve around their smartphone and they will continue to become more and more tech-involved. Therefore, seeing how they will be the largest segment of the population to always be connected, we have sought to produce wearable devices that will complement their smartphone and help make their lives easier.
Speaking briefly about Sanzar Future Teqs previous products, Sharma said, We have previously released a smart baby monitor (Pomo Bebe) and a 3G kids GPS smart watch (Pomo Waffle). Both products serve unique use cases which we feel will continue to become prominent in the coming future. More particularly, the kids GPS smart watch would be a key product, as kids safety continues to become an important discussion in the current environment.
What does the future hold?
Sharma opined that the future is definitely bright for India and its youth when it comes to technology and innovation: The current tech space is booming with innovation and there are already cases where India has shown they can compete and match up with global juggernauts. I feel the younger generation will see merit in entering the tech space as a career. I am also confident that our country can produce many unicorn business ideas that helps put Indian start-ups on the global centre stage.
Sharma is hopeful of several innovative products being launched as India would become the biggest consumer market after China, and no company would want to miss out on this big an opportunity.
Elton Gomes is a staff writer at Qrius