Stethoscope, forehead temperature, electrocardiogram and blood oxygen level… The new Withings BeamO, announced at CES 2024, is the first “multiscope” on the market. With this health toolbox, Withings wants to create a place for itself in the world of teleconsultation.
After a urine sensor in 2023, Withings is back in Las Vegas with the first “multiscope” on the market. At CES 2024, the French manufacturer has just unveiled the BeamO, a connected object which embeds several medical sensors. This accessory, which should be launched in June if the health authorities allow it, will cost 249.95 euros. It should be seen as a portable health station, which allows you to self-diagnose or reassure sick loved ones, thanks to the management of several profiles.
The Withings BeamO is a multifunctional machine
In a way, the Withings BeamO is an Apple Watch that can’t be worn. Withings claims that its device can perform a complete health diagnosis in one minute, in order to quickly identify a problem or communicate results to a doctor consulted remotely.
The BeamO, which takes the form of a small remote control with a color screen, can perform the following measurements:
- Stethoscope: by positioning it against your chest, you can make recordings of your heart or lungs. The BeamO allows you to listen to yourself live using headphones (a speaker would create vibrations, which would distort the results) or to retrieve the recording on your smartphone, to share it with loved ones or doctors.
- Electrocardiogram : by placing two fingers on the BeamO for 30 seconds, you can perform an electrocardiogram. The device can detect atrial fibrillation and prompt urgent medical attention.
- Blood oxygen level : does your child have asthma? The BeamO can indicate blood oxygen levels in seconds.
- Heartbeat : it’s quite commonplace today, but the BeamO displays the pulse in real time when you take other measurements, such as oxygenation.
- Thermometer: the BeamO integrates an improved version of the Withings Thermo, the French brand’s laser thermometer. By positioning it a few centimeters from your forehead, you can obtain your temperature.
Connected to the home Wi-Fi, the Withings BeamO synchronizes all data to the brand’s application after each measurement. Up to eight people can use the device, so data doesn’t get mixed up. Withings’ target is clear: families who are tired of switching between different devices.
Withings dreams of making BeamO a reflex
With its new device, Withings merges almost all of its products into one. The BeamO can replace a watch or a thermometer, but cannot measure blood pressure. However, this is an interesting development in strategy, since Withings is not just “connecting” existing equipment, but inventing a hybrid.
Ultimately, Withings explains to Numerama that it plans to develop detection algorithms, which could establish diagnoses based on measurements (this is one of the big challenges of the artificial intelligence revolution). The brand would also like teleconsultation doctors to learn how to use the product, to be able to consult patients remotely.
The BeamO charges via USB-C and has a battery life of eight months according to Withings. The brand now hopes to obtain authorization to market it, while it is still waiting for the right to sell the U-Scan, which analyzes the urine of its users.
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