Pinwheel Launches AI-Powered Smartwatch for Kids
▼ Summary
– The Pinwheel Watch is a kid-friendly smartwatch for ages 7–14, offering parental controls, GPS tracking, and an AI chatbot while blocking social media and internet access.
– Priced at $160 with a $15 monthly subscription, the watch includes features like voice-to-text messaging, a camera, mini-games, and tools for calls and texts.
– PinwheelGPT, the watch’s AI assistant, avoids sensitive topics and encourages kids to consult trusted adults, with parents able to monitor all chatbot interactions.
– Parental controls via the “Caregiver” app include contact safelists, scheduled usage modes, and AI summaries of kids’ text messages for oversight.
– Pinwheel aims to compete in the smart wearable market by focusing on child safety, differentiating from brands like Apple and Fitbit with kid-specific features.
Parents looking for a safer way to keep kids connected now have a new option with Pinwheel’s latest smartwatch release. Designed specifically for children ages 7 to 14, this device eliminates exposure to social media and open internet browsing while still offering essential communication features.
The Pinwheel Watch combines GPS tracking, voice-to-text messaging, and a built-in camera with one unexpected addition, an AI-powered chatbot called PinwheelGPT. Unlike standard AI assistants, this version is tailored for younger users, filtering out inappropriate content and redirecting sensitive topics to trusted adults. Parents maintain full oversight through a companion app, reviewing all interactions, including deleted chats.
Priced at $160 with a $15 monthly subscription, the watch features a sleek design with a slightly larger display than an Apple Watch. Beyond basic functions like calls and texts, it includes educational tools, mini-games, and parental controls such as contact safelists and scheduled usage modes. For added convenience, an AI summarization feature helps parents quickly review message threads.
While some may question the inclusion of AI, Pinwheel emphasizes transparency and control. Founder Dane Witbeck, a parent himself, notes that the chatbot can be disabled entirely if concerns arise. The company, already known for its kid-safe phones, is expanding into wearables to carve out a niche in the competitive $100 billion smart device market.
Currently available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, the watch will launch on Amazon later this summer. With its focus on safety and parental oversight, Pinwheel aims to stand apart from fitness-focused competitors like Fitbit’s Ace LTE.
Image Credits: Pinwheel
For families seeking connectivity without compromising security, this smartwatch could strike the right balance, keeping kids in touch while giving parents peace of mind.
(Source: TechCrunch)
