Build Better (and Lasting) Habits With MOTI

As the creators of MOTI explain, there are plenty of apps and wearables for habit formation these days, but humanity isn’t just about knowledge and data — it’s about emotion. Cognizant of this, the San Francisco-based startup has developed a smart companion that uses the combination of behavioral science and social robotics to help you “stay accountable and motivated” for building a better lifestyle — whether that’s exercising, eating healthier, or staying mindful.

MOTI’s exterior may appear to be fairly simple, but it packs the brains needed to analyze every element of your habit. The gadget learns from your setup inputs, personality profile, individual compliance data, and how you compare to the rest of the MOTI community. The outcome is a program of tangible reminders and instant gratification specific to YOU.

Unlike other apps and wearables, MOTI only focuses on a single habit at a time — this way, you can prioritize those that most important to you at that particular moment. The ultimate goal is that MOTI’s “environmental cues” offer you the positive reinforcement you need to establish lasting habits, not just immediate ones.

MOTI works best with habits that happen at least every other day, and that are relevant to a specific location. This can be everything from impoving your hydration to reading more to practicing a new instrument. To get started, first define your desired habit using its accompanying app and then place your MOTI somewhere most appropriate for that action. With its app, you can also customize your device’s settings, from light colors to sounds.

Making MOTI even cooler is the team’s partners and the technology behind it all. Co-founders Kayla Matheus and Laura Day, along with their team, joined forces with Particle, Highway1, Formlabs, Fictiv, and 30 Weeks to bring their idea to life. That idea is now on Kickstarter, and needs your support!