Columbus, OH – As wearable technology continues as one of the fastest growing categories on the market, new inventions will likely be developing and introduced in 2016.
New wearables will go beyond fitness stats and mobile notifications to capabilities such as automatically delivering medications at specific times and notifying loved ones in an emergency. Such products will use innovative technology and science to further connect with consumers to monitor specific conditions and prevent health issues.
While some of the below listed lifesaving wearables have already launched and are selectively available, other ideas are still in development.
The Embrace smartwatch can predict seizures, measure stress levels and sleep patterns, and send reminders to take medication. Connected with a smartphone, it can also alert individuals and their loved ones of seizures. The watch is already being used to study stress, autism, PTSD, depression, and anxiety by several companies and academic institutions, but individual pre-orders have not been fulfilled yet. According to an Empatica blog post, the shipment plan to consumers has been delayed with no clear delivery date promised.
If you have a far commute or frequently drive at night, Vigo might be the product for you. This Bluetooth headset tracks your drowsiness levels and nudges you when you are dozing off. Users can track their alertness levels over time and get recommendations on how to improve it. Additionally, the headset can be used for handsfree calling and streaming music.
A Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Chrono Therapeutics is launching a wearable pod that delivers the necessary medication through the skin to help smokers quit. This personal smoking cessation therapy offers coaching support at times when smokers need it the most. The product can be worn anywhere and helps smokers quit without the unpleasant symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
A Device to Treat Allergy Attacks
The launch of this product may be a little more in the future, yet addresses another critical health need. A group of Harvard researchers aims to develop a wearable that can help detect and treat life-threatening allergic reactions. The project is being supported by gifts from the KeepSmilin4Abbie Foundation, which was founded by a family of a teenage girl who died from food allergy complications.
It will be interesting to see how new wearables can impact the rate of emergency visits and maybe even save lives. As always, feel free to send us your ideas or post as a comment below.
