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Willow's latest smart breast pump promises a more comfortable design
It's been three years since a smart breast pump stole the show at CES 2017. Since then, Willow has been doing what any tech company would do after it has its first hit: iterate, iterate, iterate. Over the past few years, Willow has made its wearable breast pump easier to operate, and it's also added an optional reusable container for moms who don't like the idea of trashing disposable milk bags. This year, at CES 2020, Willow is unveiling its third-generation pump (and allowing its space to double as a breastfeeding room for nursing mothers attending the show). Though the device looks similar to last year's model, the company is touting some under-the-hood improvements that promise better comfort and a higher milk yield. Specifically, the company claims that moms can expect around 20 percent more milk, on average, per session. (That's based on focus groups with "experienced" users who pumped at least 20 times in testing.) As for comfort, the company has added new suction levels, a slower, gentler pumping rhythm, a "sensitivity" setting and a feature that adjusts the suction settings based on the user's preferences. Of course, the Willow wouldn't be the Willow without some signature hardware features. Like both of its predecessors, it takes the form of two wearable, battery-operated cups -- one of the device's chief selling points has been that moms don't need to sit tethered to a wall outlet while breastfeeding. The pump sends milk straight into a receptacle, whether that be the standard disposable bag or the reusable container, sold separately. The device is also designed to be quiet -- an area where Willow makes progress with each successive generation. Lastly, Willow's shtick is that it promises a design so leakproof you can even do yoga poses while wearing it, though you'll have to take someone else's word for it -- our staff has yet to test that claim. On the software side, the companion app is being updated with personalized pumping tips, onboarding help for new users and what Willow claims is a faster, easier pairing process. As ever, the app tracks volume over time, so women can see how much milk they've produced in various pumping sessions. Willow Generation 3 will be available sometime this spring for $499.99, the same price at which the last-gen model launched. Like its predecessor, it will come with two pumps and 24 milk bags. It will be available in three sizes: a new 21mm, along with the current 24mm and 27mm sizes. The second-generation model will still be sold, also for $499.99 but with a container included. That, too, will be available in the smaller 21mm size, though don't expect the older device to work with the new app; those software features are reserved for Generation 3.
Willow CEO Naomi Kelman on designing tech for women and moms
Maybe it's just us, but we feel like we're seeing a lot more gadgets at this year's CES meant for moms: a pregnancy tracker and multiple breast pumps. I wanted to talk to someone about the challenges -- and opportunities -- of designing gadgets for women and mothers. And who better to invite onto the Engadget CES stage than Naomi Kelman, CEO of Willow? You remember Willow: The company stole CES 2017 after unveiling its wireless smart breast pump. The company managed to overcome skepticism from attendees who might have otherwise dismissed the device as just another gimmicky smart gadget -- and who might have also felt some discomfort talking about women's bodily functions. The device went on to win two official Best of CES awards that year and is now in the hands of 20,000 mothers. Kelman and her team are back at CES this year with a refined second-generation version of the breast pump. She joined me today on stage for a demo, followed by a conversation about what it means to design for women, and what others have gotten wrong in the past.
A woman pumped breast milk on the CES show floor. So what?
Every company at CES is incentivized to oversell their latest products but the invitations from Imalac promised something that was "groundbreaking," "the craziest thing you will see at CES this year" and "part of CES history." It was indeed an event the show floor had never seen before -- the CTA confirmed it. The unassuming booth in the baby tech section had a lactating woman.
Elvie’s wearable breast pump promises silent, hands-free pumping
Elvie, a company that previously released a connected kegel trainer, has developed a cordless, wearable breast pump that aims to make life a little easier for nursing mothers. Like the Willow Pump, it fits inside of a standard nursing bra, allowing for hands-free pumping. But unlike the Willow, Elvie's model doesn't require a separate, disposable bag with which to collect pumped milk. Instead, the milk is collected in a reusable, BPA-free bottle that's dishwasher and microwave safe. And importantly, Elvie claims the device is silent.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 23: Leaving Las Vegas
Editor in chief Michael Gorman, executive editor Christopher Trout and managing editor Dana Wollman join host Terrence O'Brien to give you one last update from the ground in Las Vegas. They talk about the history of sex at CES, it's quiet reemergence and all the most absurd gadgets from the show floor. Plus they settle once and for all who is the Flame Wars champion, and who will have something to prove in 2017.
ICYMI: Wearable breast pump and everything IoT
try{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The wearable breast pump that doesn't need any external power or cords will be launching in the Spring to the tune of $429 and is likely to thrill every woman who's ever had to express milk with one of the bulky contraptions of yore. Willow is selling it and providing a matching app that measures how much milk is produced from each breast as well. Metrics ftw!
Willow's smart breast pumps slide into moms' bras
Smart breast pumps aren't novel, but a new product relieves moms from the hassle of having to hold up a device or be chained to a power outlet while pumping. Willow's smart breast pumps are two individual motorized cups that mothers can slip into their nursing bras and go about other tasks instead of sitting down and waiting till they're done. Here at CES, I got a chance to check out the new device, which was easy to use. The pump's motor felt gentle when I placed it on my chest over my clothes. For hygiene reasons, I did not try it on the way it's intended to be used -- inside a bra.
MIT Media Labs' next hackathon will make breast pumps suck less
MIT's Media Lab plans to fix the breastpump. In fact, its fall 2014 hackthon is dedicated to this very aim. Breast pumps are time-consuming, noisy and often painful -- and as the organizers put it (rather TechCrunch-ly): "this is a space that is ripe for further innovation." There's already several problems set to be tackled: the hardened cones that cup over the breasts, the litany of parts, tubes and bottles, as well as a lack of metrics: existing pumps don't offer any information on how much milk is collected, or when. Over at Quartz, they've added their own ideas for the to-do list, including ensuring a closed-system that won't be ruined by water, milk and the inevitable mold, as well as a pumping system that's generally more discrete. It's in fact the second breast pump hackathon, but this sequel will encompass 60-80 engineers, designers and breastfeeding experts -- registration is open.
