The Fitkat bracelet can send out an SOS when you’re about to skip your workout

Yes, it’s another health wearable — one of the sea of health wearables we saw at CES this year. But this one may deserve a second look.

The main goal of Fitkat is to encourage users to give up bad habits gradually. Fitkat founder tells VentureBeat that this is the ideal way of getting fitter and living a healthier life. I think there may be some truth to that.

Fitness wearables, among a hundred other things, need to get humanized. Wearables makers should realize that mainstream users won’t just immediately change their behavior in response to the data presented to them by the thing on their wrist. They need to be gently reminded, positively reinforced.

Fitkat has the right idea here.

“People hardly find time to think about being physically fit. Instead of engaging in activities that can benefit their health, many people prefer doing activities and vices that will do no good to their lives,” says Fitkat founder Chirag Jagtiani in an email message to VentureBeat.

The Fitkat bracelet has all the basic features — it tracks activity, weight, and can pop up call reminders and various types of notifications from a paired smartphone.

Where it differs from the rank and file is its dedicated SOS button, which sends out a distress signal to five of your social support contacts if you’re in danger of skipping a workout or eating a banana split. These contacts, which could include a dietitian or gym coach, can also check your progress in real-time.

Studies have shown that social interaction and personal accountability can have a huge impact on how well you stay motivated. “Giving up old habits and changing your lifestyle is a very difficult thing to do, and instead of letting someone in the cloud tell you what to do, we think it’s important that someone close to you, like your family or friends, inspire you to do it,” Jagtiani said.

The device also helps you track your water intake throughout the day. Water intake is often forgotten, yet it’s an extremely important part of weight control and general health. “These reminders can be a huge benefit to those of us who regularly turn to soda or coffee or tea for hydration over water,” Jagtiani says.

The Fitkat watch and app will become available later this year.