Innovative gas sensors from ams enable new Cling VOC fitness wristband to measure indoor air quality and alcohol in breath

Cambridge, UK + Premstaetten, Austria (16 August, 2016) -- Cambridge CMOS Sensors Ltd, a member of the ams group, today announced that Chinese wearable device manufacturer HiCling is using its ultra-low power gas sensors to enable the new Cling VOC smart fitness wristband to measure indoor air quality and alcohol in breath.

The CCS801 gas sensor integrated in the Cling VOC wristband can detect low levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) typically found indoors. In the Cling VOC wristband, these VOC measurements are used to provide an indication of air quality on the band’s display. The wristband can also provide alcohol breath analysis on demand, as the integrated CCS803 gas sensor with algorithms is sensitive to ethanol on human breath. The small footprint and low profile of the CCS8xx family of gas sensors mean that they can easily be accommodated in the slim and sleek enclosure of the Cling VOC, which is intended to appeal to fashion-conscious consumers.

The CCS8xx sensors use a unique CMOS-based micro-hotplate platform, which enables the device miniaturisation, ultra-low power consumption and fast response times that are critical for wearable devices. Software libraries containing proprietary algorithms and example applications for the Android™ operating environment ensure that the CCS8xx sensors can easily be integrated into a wide range of portable consumer applications.

‘We are delighted that our sensors have been included in the innovative Cling VOC smart fitness wristband’, said Paul Wilson, Senior Product Marketing Manager for environmental sensors at ams. ‘CO₂ levels, offensive odours, smoke and other VOCs can have a strong impact on people’s comfort, productivity, quality of life and wellbeing, so it is vital we are able to measure these VOCs.

‘The market demand for wearables is growing strongly with the introduction of attractive products such as the Cling VOC, and we are pleased to be partnering with HiCling and enabling it to differentiate its product in a crowded market place,’ he said.

‘ams group company CCS has developed the world’s smallest and lowest-power MOX gas sensors on the market’, said Richard Chen, CEO of Hicling. ‘That’s why we are delighted to partner with CCS to provide users with compelling new features in our latest smart fitness wristband. Most people spend most of their time indoors, so it is important that they are able to monitor air quality easily and to take appropriate action – something that wearers of the Cling VOC wristband can now do.’

The CCS801 and CCS803 gas sensors are available in production volumes now. 

The Cling VOC Smart Fitness Wristband will be available to buy online from Amazon, Tmall and JD. 

About Cambridge CMOS Sensors:

Founded in 2008, Cambridge CMOS Sensors (CCS) is an industry leader in gas sensor solutions for consumer applications. CCS products are uniquely based on a CMOS silicon platform with added intelligence for easy integration into a range of end products for air quality monitoring and breath analysis.

CCS is a member of the ams.group. ams sensor solutions take sensing to the next level by providing a seamless interface between humans and technology and enable our customers to create highly differentiated products that are smarter, safer, easier to use and more eco-friendly. ams develops high-performance solutions for the most challenging applications in sensors, sensor interfaces, power management and wireless.

Key features of CCS products include ultra-low power consumption, fast response time, embedded intelligence and ultra-small form factor. These features have enabled the CCS products to be integrated into smartphones, wearables and smart home devices. Additionally, the gas sensor solutions are scalable and cost efficient through the use of standard high volume semiconductor manufacturing processes.