Alphabet’s Verily has a “smart diaper“ design that distinguishes pee from poo

Enlarge / What's that kid packin'? (credit: Getty | ullstein bild)

Tech companies are always hoping to clear out the competition with their latest wearable. But Alphabet's life sciences division, Verily, is likely expecting a blow-out with this one.

The company, formerly known as Google Life Sciences, has a patent-pending plan for a wirelessly connected "smart diaper" that would not only alert a caregiver when there's a new "event" but also analyze and identify the fresh download-i.e., is it a number one or number two? The connected, absorbent gadget will sound the alarm via a connected device and potentially an app, which can catalogue and keep a record of events.

Verily is not the first to try to plumb the potential of derriire devices for babies. Many companies have come before with simple to high-tech moisture sensors-from color-changing strips to wireless alarms. But, Verily argues in its patent application, the market is lacking a convenient, affordable, all-in-one design that can differentiate between a wee squirt and a code brown. While both require attention and a change, a festering or explosive diaper bomb often requires more urgency, particularly if a baby is dealing with diaper rash.

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