Produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES is a unique opportunity to showcase, discover, and talk about the latest tools and technology to empower and enhance people’s lives. Over the past 10 years, innovations in health and wellness technology in particular have surged, making the sector a focal point at CES. Here is a sampling of digital health tools and technologies that Everyday Health’s editors are excited to report on from CES and that will appear throughout 2020.
Improved Function for People With MS
Multiple sclerosis symptoms can affect any part of the body, so there’s a lot of room for technological innovations for improved functioning. This year we’ve got our eye on some new mobility scooters from WHILL and iLiving, as well as a smart scale (Zibrio), bath mat (Mateo), and shoe (FootWARE) that record information on balance and posture.
Putting Telemedicine in Consumers’ Hands
Access to healthcare remains a major issue for millions of Americans, especially those living in rural areas. But that’s changing thanks to the latest advances in telemedicine, which is no longer just about having doctor’s visits via videoconferencing on the internet. Handheld devices such as the MedWand, which records a patient’s vital signs through multiple diagnostic tools including a thermometer and stethoscope, can now provide physicians with real-time health data to make remote doctor visits a reality.
Virtual Reality for Real Pain Management
The use of virtual reality (VR) technology in healthcare is expanding rapidly, with experts predicting the market will hit $30 billion within six years. Companies such as AppliedVR are using the technology to help hospital patients train their brains to manage acute and chronic pain associated with a variety of health conditions. The company recently announced a partnership with the National Cancer Institute to explore how VR can help cancer patients cope with anxiety. Other companies, such as Reducept, offer virtual reality pain education and training via an app for the Oculus Go VR headset.
More Ways to Get Fit and Feel Better at Home
In fitness, new tech for 2020 is giving us more options than ever before when it comes to working out at home. Full-body mirrors are also screens (MIRROR), on which users can stream live or on-demand boutique-style fitness classes or personal training sessions. A smart yoga mat (YogiFi) gives you feedback on your practice wherever you decide to do it. And new muscle recovery tools make it possible for you to be your own masseuse (Hypervolt). In a world where we’re all expected to be on and available 24/7, taking a slice of time to recharge is essential. While a $5,000 massage chair might not be within everyone’s reach, a circulation-improving foot massager (truMedic) just might be.
Gadgets to Help You Sleep Smarter
Technology still can’t sleep for you, nor can it deliver enough sleep to you if you’re not devoting the hours to rest in the first place. But sleep gadgets may help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and establish a healthy sleep routine if used the right way. Sleep technology — from apps to temperature-controlling mattress pads and a smart duvet (Smartduvet) — can play a key role in establishing healthy sleep hygiene.
Sexual Health Tech for Women
Last year’s controversy around the Ose (a hands-free vibrator designed for clitoral stimulation that won an Innovator Award, only to have it revoked for reportedly not being “in keeping with CTA’s image” and then reinstated) amplified an important conversation about pleasure as a crucial part of women’s sexual health and wellness. A few months ago, the CTA announced that CES 2020 will include tech-based sexual products, on a trial basis, and we will see female-focused sex tech on display for the first time.
Practical Tools for Healthy Living
Technology can help make the lives of people living with chronic illness more comfortable and convenient; and many of the latest tools, such as the Pivot app for smoking cessation, enable more people to lead healthier lives. According to the National Council on Aging, about 92 percent of seniors have at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two. Health-tech innovators are working to improve the lives of seniors living with chronic disease and disabilities with breakthrough gadgets, including an at-home pill organizer and health tracker (Pillo Health) and tools to improve the role of the caregiver (CarePredict).
New Ways to Monitor and Manage Cardio Health
Digital technologies continue to evolve, offering new ways for people to manage and monitor cardiovascular disease. A virtual reality video game by Evolv Rehabilitation Technologies helps stroke survivors regain physical coordination in a fun and engaging way. A new blood pressure monitor from Withings, called BPM Core, tracks blood pressure, records the heart’s rhythm and activity using a built-in electrocardiogram, and detects heart abnormalities using a digital stethoscope. And a new app (HeartTrends) provides a stress test alternative by recording 20 minutes of your heart’s activity while you perform everyday tasks.
A Brave New World of Genetic Testing
DNA testing technology is at the forefront of science and healthcare — and for good reason. One simple swab of saliva can inform you of everything from your gut microbiome makeup to your hereditary cancer risk, allowing consumers to be in direct control of their health. For example, one company is using at-home DNA testing to make personal grocery shopping recommendations (DnaNudge), while another is using DNA to personalize fitness and therapy (Orig3n).
Tech’s New Mind-Set to Improve Mental Health
Immersive meditation technologies are giving new meaning to the ancient practice of mindfulness. High-tech wearables and virtual reality stimulators aim to improve meditation quality and mental health. These devices include a wearable that monitors mindfulness to help you achieve optimal sleep (Smartdhyana), an eye mask that uses thermal meditation to counteract the harmful effects of screens on mental well-being (UmayCare), and a vagus nerve stimulator (Salustim) that can be useful in treating depression and chronic disease.
Tools and Formulas to Treat Your Skin Right
Imagine if you could skip some visits to your dermatologist or aesthetician and have a little more control over your anti-aging regimen — and save a little money at the same time. Ahead in 2020 are DIY tools that allow you to remove age spots using a handheld device (Opté) and even administer custom-blended formulas that are made just for you. Be sure to check EverydayHealth.com for the latest news and live blogs from CES.
