Takeaways Withings’ new device, BeamO, is a handheld “multiscope” that combines sensors to provide accurate health readings without the need to be worn on the body. It doesn’t just measure body temperature, heart health, lung health, and blood oxygen levels; it also syncs the data to an app and is suitable for up to eight different individuals. It is set to launch in June 2024, pending FDA approval. When it comes to health monitoring devices, it’s often easy to overlook the innovation packed into wearable gadgets. Packing sensors to monitor heart health, blood oxygen levels, and body temperature into something compact and stylish enough to fit on your wrist, or even your finger, is no small feat. The potential benefits of these achievements in terms of requirements and hardware sales are too significant to ignore. A prime example of this is the recent dispute between Apple and medical device maker Masimo over the accuracy of the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen level monitoring. However, even though a wearable can provide valuable insights, it doesn’t guarantee that it’s doing so accurately. Experts have highlighted several unknowns that need to be addressed to ensure the accuracy of wearable measurements and their suitability for medical needs.
8 similar devices from CES 2024 you can already buy Not everything announced at CES is a concept device or will arrive later this year. Some great new tech deals are already available. Withings, the maker of smartwatches, scales, and other health and wellness devices, introduced the BeamO at CES 2024. The BeamO is a “multiscope” that integrates multiple sensors into a handheld device that can be used by individuals and their families, eliminating the need to wear it on the body and making health monitoring more convenient and accurate.
What Is BeamO? The BeamO resembles a sleeker version of Withings’ old Thermo, a non-contact thermometer designed for forehead use. However, the key difference lies in the expanded capabilities of BeamO. Livia Robic, BeamO’s marketing manager, explained that the device was intended for families and designed to be used by both individuals and others. The goal was to transform the regular thermometer, typically found in household medicine cabinets, into a valuable daily health tool. BeamO can measure not only body temperature but also heart and lung health, all within a compact device that can store medical information for up to eight people. How Does BeamO Work? Robic detailed, “all these measurements are linked to your app.” In addition to temperature measurement, BeamO includes a clinical ECG (electrocardiogram), an oximeter for blood oxygen level and oxygen saturation measurement, and a digital recorder for monitoring heart and lung sounds. While these features have previously been available as separate devices, such as the ScanWatch 2 and BPM Core, BeamO combines them all into one device with specialized methods for ensuring maximum measurement accuracy. To measure body temperature, BeamO is slowly moved across the forehead vein. Heart rate and blood oxygen levels can be measured by placing two fingers on the side of the device for a few seconds. For listening to heart and lung sounds, BeamO provides instructions to guide users to the correct positioning for maximum accuracy. Similarly, BeamO accommodates sharing comprehensive health data with healthcare professionals through the Withings Health Mate app, simplifying the process and eliminating the need for additional software. The device’s usefulness for doctors lies in its ability to share accurate health data, making it a valuable consumer tool from a technical perspective.
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What Does It Take to Get FDA Approval? When BeamO launches, it is expected to cost $249. However, there is still uncertainty regarding its June 2024 launch timeframe, as Withings is seeking FDA approval for the device, a process that is intricate and not entirely straightforward. According to Robic, “We provide a user test and we have different codes for each sensor,” while also leveraging previous tests conducted for Thermo to approve the body temperature measurements taken by BeamO. This process inherently takes longer than traditional product launches due to regulatory approvals. For instance, the Withings U-Scan, a smart urine-testing device, still awaits its market launch due to ongoing approval processes. Robic mentioned the possibility of selling BeamO before FDA approval, but stressed the need to comply with regulations. Despite not being as glamorous as smart jewelry or luxury watches, BeamO’s forward-facing features have a distinct appeal, and Withings sees potential in using the device’s open-source model to create new health measurement applications. This mirrors the approach taken by devices like the Oura Ring, which continually introduces new software features based on sensor data. Like the thermometer’s rise to becoming a household tool due to its link with symptoms such as fever, BeamO aims to be more than just an accessory, proving to be more useful than the conventional smartwatch. BeamO is slated to be released in June 2024 with a price tag of $249.95.
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