CES 2020: AgeTech pillow talk and wearables

AgeTech is providing some of the most interesting devices in the Longevity world and CES 2020 is the place to show off the inventions that may be part of our future.

You might want to check-out our other CES 2020 review here.

Following on from our previous look at some of the most exciting developments on display at the tech event of the year, we’re back with another round-up of companies to keep a watching brief on.

Envision team
Image: Envision team

Translating the visual world into the spoken world, Envision boasts the “the fastest and most accurate OCR (Optical Character Recognition) out there”. By reading any text, printed or handwritten, on any surface, describing colours, scanning barcodes and QR codes, this clever smartphone app enables the blind and visually impaired to live more independently. Many people experience a deterioration in vision with age and this app goes a long way towards managing that change and enabling greater independence.

Fingertips viktor
Image credit: Fingertips

Fingertips has its eyes firmly fixed on Longevity, describing itself as “addressing the participants of the Silver Economy” and having the goal of boosting social interaction among an aging population as well as helping them to maintain their independence. In conjunction with Orange, Fingertips have developed Viktor, a “smart cushion” that wirelessly interfaces with home technology meaning e-health, telephony, and medico-social services can be accessed from a pillow. This is one invention we never saw coming, and we’re not taking it lying down.

MedWand
Image credit: MedWand

Telemedicine is a growing field and is also a solution to the reluctance of some elderly people to visit the doctor. MedWand combines multiple diagnostic tools in one handheld device that enables clinicians to conduct visits remotely – the patient just needs the MedWand with them. The device can collect a host of vital sign readings in real time as well as conducting important patient assessments. MedWand is also able to detect and monitor medical conditions and relay the results to the care team and should prove invaluable in remote care management as its IoT capability should ensure all information about the patient is available wherever necessary.

Airvida CES 2020
Image credit: Airvida

ible is a wearable device company rooted in IoT technology. The Airvida device removes airborne particles from around the user; these include pollen, pollutants, dust and smoke particles, germs and bacteria. The Airvida generates negative ions which causes the particles to clump together and drop out of the air. It’s an elegant solution to cutting down on respiratory conditions that can be caused by particles in the air around us and is bang on-trend for small and streamlined wearable tech. Lung capacity starts to reduce from as early as 35, meaning that breathing can become harder and harder as we age. The Airvida could prove vital in improving lung capacity in an aging population.

Mutrics CES
Image credit: Mutrics

Also modelling smart wearable tech at CES 2020 is Mutrics Innovation Technology. Their smart audio glasses with interchangeable lenses (for vision and sun) include bluetooth, surround sound and IoT+AI technology. Although currently marketed at a more youthful audience, the Longevity benefits are palpable. The system delivers access to Siri and the Google Assistant meaning hands-free information and help for an older generation. Enhanced sound could help counter hearing loss and IoT capability could tie it all together.

Sensorscall
Image credit: SensorCall

SensorsCall is a device that allows senior members of society to stay in touch with family and caregivers via a voice-activated app. Neatly sidestepping the need for a landline or charging up a mobile phone, CallAlert is plug and play technology that also lets a caregiver or medical professional record a message to prompt the taking of medication, exercise, fluids, etc. Or just ask Alexa.

OK, that’s it from Vegas – we’re just off to win our money back before heading home.

Image credit: CES®

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