CES: Connectivity and Data Fuel Innovations in Digital Health

Pioneering tech journalist Robin Raskin brought together six companies that have created innovative digital health products due to the increased use of data and connectivity. “Connectivity is a predictor of health,” said Raskin. “The more connected we are, the healthier we will be. Next, we need to get this technology out there as inexpensively and widely as possible.” Deloitte’s national consulting leader for life sciences and health care practices Dr. Lynne Sterrett outlined five macro trends: interoperable data, equitable care, owning our own data, the use of data to inform behavior change, and science as the winner during the pandemic. Continue reading CES: Connectivity and Data Fuel Innovations in Digital Health

AARP, Experts Discuss Development of Wearables for Seniors

At CES in Las Vegas, AARP vice president of innovation and product development Andy Miller brought together experts who look at the design of wearables for seniors. “Experience wins with regard to product design,” he said. “Are you looking through the lens of experience when you build products — or the features?” Gerontologist Dr. Alexis Abramson stresses that design for mature and older adults requires “thoughtfulness.” “This market has so many people and so much money,” she explained. “Why aren’t we stepping back and addressing them?”

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Fitness Wearables Evolve from 10,000 Steps to New Features

Fitness wearables have exploded in number over the last two to three years. The industry has seen some consolidation, and predictions just prior to CES 2017 were that wearables were no longer the hot category of yesteryear. A panel on fitness trackers, moderated by KTLA-TV reporter Rich DeMuro (himself the owner of multiple fitness trackers), proved that assessment to be simplistic. Fitness trackers in particular are evolving beyond 10,000 steps into new territory, including the ability to intelligently track your heart rate. Continue reading Fitness Wearables Evolve from 10,000 Steps to New Features

CES: Wearables Sporting New Capabilities in Maturing Market

Eighty-four million wearables were sold in 2015, and experts are predicting the market will grow to 245 million by 2019. That means that, once again, CES 2017 will be the venue to check out the latest commercially available products and the newest technologies that will power wearables of the future. MEMS and sensors are key to wearables’ capabilities and, Karen Lightman, executive director of the MEMS Industry Group, says CES 2017 will showcase some “exciting” new wearables features. Continue reading CES: Wearables Sporting New Capabilities in Maturing Market

Sensors/MEMS Session: Biometric Information for Wearables

Developers of health and fitness wearables — currently the industry’s biggest segment — are challenged with providing accurate and reliable biometric information. If the consumer cannot be convinced that calories burned, steps taken, and blood pressure numbers do not reflect reality, then health and fitness wearables will never gain the traction they need to become mass market. Enter Valencell, a core technology provider for biometric information to silicon providers and OEMs. Continue reading Sensors/MEMS Session: Biometric Information for Wearables

2015 CES: Wearables to Take Many Forms at the Sands Expo

Wearables made a surprisingly robust showing at the 2014 International CES. At the next Consumer Electronics Show in January, a Wearables Marketplace (Sands, Level 2) will gather companies providing products from “high-tech fashion and smart jewelry to wearables that track your mood, activity and even your pets, as well as the newest augmented reality devices.” Other wearable providers will be found in the Smart Watches, Health & Wellness and Sports Tech Marketplaces, all located in the Sands Expo. Continue reading 2015 CES: Wearables to Take Many Forms at the Sands Expo

CES 2013: Biometric Tech Aims to Revolutionize Entertainment

Technicolor debuted its biometric-based content discovery and audience testing project at CES. As it transitions from research endeavor to commercial tool, the question remains, can it become a viable instrument for entertainment and advertising production? It has been successfully tested in Europe and the U.S., but several other companies introduced technology this week that could provide alternatives functionality. Continue reading CES 2013: Biometric Tech Aims to Revolutionize Entertainment