Digital health gadgets @ CES 2024

We saw several cool digital health gadgets being announced at this year's CES. Here's a wrap-up:

Withings BeamO - a multiscope device for checking vitals

French digital health device maker Withings announced BeamO, a mobile-connected 4-in-1 "multiscope" that combines thermometer, electrocardiogram (ECG), oximeter, and stethoscope.

The compact handheld wand has PPG sensors and electrodes along its sides, giving you heart rate, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and blood oxygen (SpO2) readings simultaneously in less than a minute. You can either read the results on the 1.9-inch color LED display or check your Withings app.

The Withings BeamO can take traditional temperature readings and also function as a digital stethoscope. You place it on your chest or back to measure "acoustic sound waves through a Piezoelectric disc," listening for wheezing or heart murmurs. Again, these sounds can be listened to through Withings' companion app.

The Withings BeamO will support eight separate profiles, and once the data is recorded - you will be able to send it as a PDF to your doctor.

"BeamO will revolutionize the measurement of the core vitals carried out during medical visits from the comfort of one's own home," according to Withings President Eric Carreel. "Instead of measuring these stats a couple of times a year in a clinical setting, it will be possible to assess them every day."

The device was honored with three CES 2024 awards: Digital Health, Embedded Technologies, and Smart Home. It will be available in June 2024 for $249, and by then - it should receive FDA clearance.

Garmin Lily 2 hybrid watches and a new heart rate monitor

Garmin announced two new hybrid smartwatches for women — the Garmin Lily 2 and Lily 2 Classic — along with a new heart rate monitor designed to clip onto sports bras.

Both watches have a 5-day battery life, a 35mm metal case, a monochromatic touchscreen, Body Battery scores, women's health monitoring, heart rate tracking, calories, and intensity minutes.

These watches especially thrive at tracking indoor workouts, such as Zumba, Afrobeat, Bollywood, EDM, and hip-hop. Also, they will keep tabs on your sleep with Sleep Scores and notify on any incoming calls, messages, alerts, appointments, and more.

As for the new Garmin HRM-Fit (heart rate monitor), it is specifically "created for women" with a clip-on design meant to attach to "medium- and high-support sports bras" like those from Adidas, Athleta, NOBULL, or Under Armour.

Finally, it's worth adding that Garmin used the CES to announce a revamped Garmin Connect app, featuring "a simpler, more customizable homepage where they can view the data most impactful on their health and fitness goals."

GyroGlove - a hand-stabilizing glove for people with tremors

GyroGlove is a hand-stabilizing glove designed to "counteract hand tremors by utilizing advanced gyroscopic technology" — giving wearers more control over their mobility.

The device features a friendly interface, "comfy touch points, oversized mounts, and a magical magnetic connector." It has easy-to-clean surfaces along with IP65 waterproof protection.

Although it looks a bit bulky, the company behind GyroGlove (GyroGear) claims it is comfortable to wear, not least thanks to its premium, breathable fabric that enables all-day comfort.

The device weighs around 580 grams (~1.27 pounds), with the stabilization and power modules each coming in at 200 grams. It is available for sale worldwide for $5,899 (it's $1,000 cheaper for a limited time) and is registered with the FDA and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a medical device. GyroGear is in talks with insurance providers in the US to consider covering the glove for those who need it.

Amazfit Helio Ring - smart ring for athletes

Amazfit, which is affiliated with Xiaomi and a part of the Zepp group, announced its very first smart ring at CES.

Called Amazfit Helio Ring, it is made for athletes — providing them with the recovery support to improve their performance. Amazfit says the Helio Ring can "monitor comprehensive data related to the user's mental and physical condition with accuracy only possible from a wearable worn on the finger."

The data Ring collects is then made "actionable" with the Zepp app, which turns it into an intuitive Readiness score — helping athletes determine whether they should focus on activity or recovery.

The Amazfit Helio Ring can be worn as a standalone device or as a complimentary device together with an Amazfit smartwatch.

Made out of skin-friendly titanium alloy, the ring has 10ATM water resistance and will come in two sizes — 10 and 12, weighing 3.8g and 4g, respectively. According to Amazfit, the Amazfit Helio Ring's battery can last up to five days on a single charge. It will go on sale in March when its price will be revealed.

Zepp Clarity Pixie - virtually invisible hearing aids

Beyond the ring, the Zepp group also announced the Zepp Clarity Pixie - "virtually invisible" hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing impairment.

The device features medical-grade silicone domes and a titanium alloy casing, with each bud weighing 1.1g. The buds are IPX7-rated and offer ambient noise cancellation.

The Zepp Clarity Pixie has 17 hours of battery life and can be fully charged in 2.5 hours through USB-C — though there is also the option for wireless charging.

The Zepp Clarity Pixie is priced at $1,999 and is available on Zepp's website.

ElliQ 3 eldercare robot

The latest version of ElliQ's robot features design tweaks, more powerful hardware, and generative AI integration.

Said design is an Yves Behar joint effort, with the end product being around one-third smaller than its predecessor and with a weight of 1.3 pounds less. Memory has been increased, and the onboard MediaTek octa-core processor has been updated.

When it comes to generative AI, the company says it's leveraging LLMs to improve the system's conversational capabilities — enabling users to "discuss a virtually infinite number of topics in a more natural and detailed manner with ElliQ."

In that sense, the new model will improve the experience both in set and open-ended conversations, as well as improve ElliQ's ability to intuit the nature of requests based on context. The company is exploring other avenues with generative AI, as well.

Ultrahuman Home - tracker for "home health"

Indian wearable startup Ultrahuman is getting into the smart home game with a newly announced Ultrahuman Home.

The device resembles a sleek Wi-Fi router or Apple TV, with its sensors allowing the user to monitor levels of natural and artificial light, air pollution, noise, humidity, and smoke in the room where it's installed. Beyond numbers, the companion app also delivers actionable insights, inviting users to change things around their home.

Ultrahuman Home will also be able to connect to other devices to, for instance, dynamically adjust devices like the air conditioning to promote deeper and more restorative sleep.

The device will start shipping in July for $349.

ANSSil Smart String i4 - sensor-laden, smart mattress

South Korea-based ANSSil used this year's CES to showcase its smart mattresses, including its recently announced Smart String i4 model.

The device (cause it's really a device) integrates IoT controllers with String Supporter, along with the "ANSSil Link App," pressure sensors, and a smart scale installed on the user's smartphone or smartwatch — enabling the collection and analysis of the user's sleep condition through an AI-based IoT system.

Utilizing pressure sensors and applications on the Sleepinbody platform, the smart mattress learns from the collected data — such as sleep information, hours, posture, sleep stages, etc. The AI algorithm then generates personalized sleep data, which users can review daily through the ANSSil Link App.

The device helped ANSSil score CES' Innovation Awards in the Digital Health and Smart Home and Home Appliance categories.

DeRUCCI AI Series T11 Pro Smart Mattress

Another smart mattress that won a CES award (Best in Internet and Technology) comes from Guangdong, China-based DeRUCCI.

The DeRUCCI AI Series T11 Pro Smart Mattress is said to be the first smart mattress that instantly adjusts to the individual's health for optimal sleep — actually warning the user about potential health issues before they are aware of them.

The mattress features:

• 23 sleep/health AI sensors that automatically track subtle changes in position, body temperature, heart rate, and health;
• 18 flexible air support units that instantly respond and support the user's position and body movements;
• Patented DeRUCCI AI Tidal Algorithm that adapts and customizes to each user's various individual sleeping positions for real-time adjustments; and
• Advanced sleep monitoring and alerts.

The mattress also connects to other IoT home appliances to control the bedroom's smart thermostat, air conditioner, aromatherapy, air purifier, sleep-enhancing lighting, meditation products, sleep aids, and other IoT devices.