Kickstarter

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 1 day ago

@ Daniel Anh: No problem Daniel! Yes - we're going to have an on-boarding process - mini visual tutorial - that helps you understand what correct posture is, as well as offer you tips throughout. The thing is we won't be able to point out exact body regions that need adjustment, since to do that, we'd have to have sensors placed there - and I don't think you'd be comfortable wearing all that hardware on you. However, you can be sure we'll do everything we can to help you achieve your overall body posture (from your neck/head, all the way down to your toes).

@ Alexander and Coralee Lazebnikov Hello Alexander and Coralee! There currently isn't really a delay for slouch detection, but we'll be adding the ability to manually add/adjust that in the settings menu. You bring up a good point and it's definitely something we've considered from the start - we're analyzing certain data points and aim to eventually get to a point where Backbone will be able to differentiate whether you're bending over on purpose (and similar motions) or just gradually slouching.

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 2 days ago

@ Richard Tang: Good morning, Richard! Thanks for the question. I'm still working on figuring that out - I can assure you that anything we save will be reimbursed to you - if we don't save anything, chances are we'll be taking a loss on shipping you the package. There are a lot of factors that need to be figured out on our end (final package weight, package dimensions, etc.) before I can have a final number for you - I apologize for the delay!

@ Daniel Anh: Good morning, Daniel! I'll update the FAQ with the measurements for sizes XS-XXXL once we have them back from our manufacturer. I was told we'd have to have the first design sample made before figuring our sizing measurements, but just to give you a better idea, I'll be adding a chart up of standard US t-shirt sizing measurements, since our measurements would be comparable. Thanks for reaching out to me!

@ Phat Tran: Good morning, Phat - short answer, yes! You won't be ringing anymore bells, while hunchbacked, with the help of Backbone :). Thanks for the question!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 2 days ago

@ Chew Choon Keat: Hi Chew - I'm with you there - it's our responsibility to make that happen! I think you'll be happy to know that everything is moving along, as planned, in regards to delivering on time :). Thanks, Chew!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 2 days ago

@ Christine Johnson: Hi Christine - thanks for the question! Yes, we will be able to make most sizes - XS being one of them. Also, we'll be taking women's and men's sizing into consideration, which you'll be able to select via our shipping survey - sent to you once our Kickstarter project ends. Thanks Christine!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 2 days ago

@ Adrienne Van Halem: Hello Andrienne - thanks a lot for supporting us, I really appreciate it! We will be support both Android and iOS (smartphones and tablets) - so no worries about that at all. As for skin tones colors - I updated our FAQ yesterday also :) - and mentioned that for now, we may be sticking to Charcoal Black and Bone White because of the fact that we'd have to order the fabric in bulk and that may cause problems if we don't have adequate demand. Thanks again for your support and questions, Adrienne!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 4 days ago

@ Galacto: Hi Galacto, the hardware will be positioned in the back of the brace, and even in its enclosure, it's extremely thin, and won't cause discomfort when you're sitting against a chair. You can also be sure that it won't be so easy to destroy the hardware components :). Thanks for the comment, Galacto!

@ Neko: Hello Neko, it's extremely hard to coordinate timezones with everyone, but I'll definitely make sure I'm consistent and prompt when it comes to providing updates for you and all supporters. Thank you!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 4 days ago

@ James Kuang: Hi James - you can definitely wear a backpack comfortably while wearing Backbone. There's nothing that would prevent you from wearing a backpack - it's just the shoulder straps and the back is a slim, flat, straight piece of fabric that connects the shoulder straps. I'll provide all sketches, renderings, and pictures of the new re-design as soon as I have them from our design firm!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 4 days ago

@ Heather: Good morning Heather - I definitely understand where you're coming from and I messaged Shaunda saying that I'll have a more definite answer for everyone on Monday, since I have a meeting with our design firm then. I'll have actual measurements next week - however it's safe to assume that we'll be basing our sizes around standard US sizing measurements. Thanks for reaching out to me - have a wonderful weekend!

@ Tech Enthusiast: Good morning TE, yes, you'll be able to wear Backbone directly on your skin, under your clothes. Chafing shouldn't be a concern since you'll be determining how tight the straps will be. We don't use elastic in our fabrics for that specific reason - we want to give you full control and will avoid materials that cause problems with your skin or comfort. The reason we have it over a shirt in our video and photos is because you probably wouldn’t be able to tell or see the product otherwise. I will 100% get photos of it being worn over and under once we have the new and improve Backbone posture brace from our design firm. Thanks a lot for your questions - have a great rest of your weekend!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 5 days ago

@ Kok Hung: Hi Kok - thanks for reaching out to me and great question! Backbone will be a lot thinner than you'd think (especially compared to what you see in the video and in the pictures), especially once we go through the re-design process with our industrial design firm. No one should be able to tell that you're wearing Backbone underneath unless your shirt is thin or extremely tight. Thank you!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 5 days ago

@ Happy Thanksgiving Reynolds: Hi Dr. H Reynolds - thanks for supporting us - I greatly appreciate you spreading (or intending to spread) the word about us to your patients! Backbone indirectly monitors and encourages your proper lumbar/pelvis posture by strengthening your lower back + core muscles (by helping you consistently maintain great posture), has many features that assist you with developing proper postural habits and muscle memory, training courses which help you improve your overall health and posture, and more. In order to directly monitor the lumbar/pelvis, or any other body region, we'd have to place sensors in or around the vicinity of that area. While we can’t monitor and physically support every single region of your body with Backbone (no product out there does or can do that - or you’d basically be wearing a body cast), we took the route we considered most optimal, and will do everything we can to help all Backbone wearers achieve and maintain great overall body health and posture; from head to toe. Thanks a lot for your question and your support!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 6 days ago

@ Andy Taylor Hi Andy, you're going to have to pay the same price as everyone else, so that means the same cost per unit and the same shipping cost for each package. Once we figure out the finalized shipping rates we can reimburse you, and all our other supporters, from there. Thanks for understanding!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. 6 days ago

@ Andy Taylor Hi Andy - thanks for the question! Please add the cost of Backbone, as well as the shipping cost. Please keep in mind that $11 is a shipping estimate and we'll be reimbursing your costs based on the final amount we'll be paying (which I believe to be very close to the estimate).

I've already started the process of reaching out to freight shipping companies and Amazon reps, in order to get a finalized quote for each country. Things are looking great and hopefully I'll have an update soon for everyone. Rest assured, we're working with the best people we can in order to reduce shipping costs!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 21

@ Markus Schicker Good morning Markus - Backbone won't cause cutting at the shoulders because you'll decide just how tight or loose you'd like it to be. The form factor and materials are based around this idea, as well as the decision to continue using velcro vs. another method of adjusting the straps. From the looks of the product you linked me, their straps are made of an elastic-type material, which constricts, which is probably what's causing the digging. We don't use elastic for that very reason. I hope I cleared things up - thanks for asking, Markus!

@ David Williams Good morning David! I'm confident we can make that happen after we've fully built out the desktop/web app. I can tell you that we're definitely looking into it and aim to work on it as soon as we're able to. Great question :).

@ Francisco Good morning Francisco! Backbone's technology will last about as long as any other electronic device you currently have. The battery we're using is rechargeable - it's not a coin cell that you'd have to replace. Thanks for the comment!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 20

@ Anna Hi Anna - once our Kickstarter project ends, I'll be sending out a "survey", asking you for your shipping details, Backbone color, size, and more. Thanks!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 20

@ Emily connors Hi Emily - no problem at all :) - I'm excited to have you try Backbone!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 20

@ Emily connors Hello Emily! Once our Kickstarter project ends (12 days left as of this response), I'll be sending out a "survey", which will ask for your shipping details, the color you'd like your Backbone in, your size, and more. Thanks for the great question!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 19

@ Shaunda L Bowman Hi Shaunda! I appreciate your support and the fact that you're here to root for us means a lot to me. I'll update you the moment I get an answer regarding other sizing options - most likely I'll receive a response by tomorrow morning. I'll then send you a message with the info, so that you'll be notified via email and Kickstarter. Thanks again, Shaunda!

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 19

@ Jessica Hello Jessica - thanks for the detailed write-up and questions! 1) We had our chiropractors try Backbone, offer product input (based on their client feedback and personal experience), and follow our product progression over the span of about 1-1.5 months. We still keep in touch with them to this day and continue to update them on our progress. 2) If the product is faulty due to hardware failure on our end, we’ll gladly replace your unit. Having said that, we'll test every single Backbone, making sure each one works perfectly, before packaging and shipping it off to you. We’ve had our current development units for around 6-8+ months with no hardware failures whatsoever, these things are quite durable! Rest assured, if it’s an issue on our end, we’ll gladly take care of it for you. :)

The reason we chose velcro is because of the huge range of adjustability it provides. This allows you to get the right amount of support, comfort, and product fit based on your personal preferences.

I definitely agree with you, regarding posture being a serious concern - for most of us, our modern lifestyles revolve around devices that put our bodies in positions that build poor postural habits, affecting our physical and mental health in numerous ways. If we don’t begin minding our posture and setting good examples for those around us, I feel that bad posture is only going to become more widespread and the health issues, that stem from it, more apparent as time goes on.

You have my word that keeping you and everyone updated, as well as responding as quickly as I’m able, will always remain at the top of my list of priorities. Without you and all our other world-class supporters, Backbone wouldn't even be a reality; I’m extremely grateful for that and will return the gesture any way I possibly can. Also, my Kickstarter inbox is always open for business - you can send me messages anytime and I'll respond to you as soon as I possibly can.

@ Mark van Dorresteijn Hi Mark! I’m confident that if we stretch for this goal, we can reach it :). Things are definitely picking up and any stretch goals we’ve had have been overrun in just a few days. While $499k is an ambitious goal, I feel the reward justifies it, as it'll be a big and interesting upgrade we’ll be making to our tech.

Creator Bifrost Biotech, Inc. on April 19

@ Richard Tang Hi Richard, you can do so by adding $49 + shipping to your current pledge. Thanks!