How are you feeling?
By Greg Kahn
Emerging Tech Exchange
Founder & CEO
Published on July 6, 2023
Specifically, how do you feel about the state of connected health & wellness?
As we look forward through the prism of emerging tech, we're taking a look back at the ideas and practical use cases that have been driving investment, spurring entrepreneurs, and inspiring brands and media leaders since 2019, when I hosted IoTC NEXT: The Connected Future Summit at the Times Center.
The summit’s Connected Health & Wellness brought together a range of voices and their predictions:
Jeremy Kaplan, Content Director, Future
Ron Peri, currently Senior Director of Connected Products and IT Innovation at Procter & Gamble
Goran Kukic, currently SVP Chief Information Officer Health at Reckitt, (then: Chief Innovation Technology Officer, Nestlé)
Carl Anderson, currently Director, Data Science at Indigo Ag (then: Senior Director, Data Science, WW (Weight Watchers) International
1. The healthcare industry has been slow in harnessing the potential of IoT technologies, particularly in improving the patient-physician experience.
However, nimble consumer companies untethered by bureaucratic constraints will continue to emerge as trailblazers, filling the void with innovative solutions.
2. Personalization has become the next frontier across various domains, including products and medicine. Customized experiences are poised to revolutionize the way we approach healthcare and other aspects of our lives.
3. Established consumer-focused companies like Nestlé and P&G are increasingly leveraging AI, data science, and data engineering to bring smart connected products to market, aiming to enhance consumer well-being.
4. As weight-loss leaders pave the way, more food brands will adopt recipe platforms that offer tailored nutrition guidance based on individual needs. Whether it's fueling for a marathon or recovering from an illness, these platforms will provide personalized recommendations.
5. The integration of wearables and meditation apps with agnostic nutrition platforms will continue to progress steadily. By recommending recipes, communities, and influential figures, these platforms strive to support both physical and mental well-being, creating a personalized experience.
6. The rapidly expanding digital fitness sector, with its online services, presents a formidable challenge to the traditional gym model. By addressing issues like distance, time constraints, and crowded spaces, digital fitness platforms are reshaping the way people exercise.
7. The aging population presents significant growth opportunities for companies developing connected products and services that enable individuals to age in place.
While Tim Cook and his team have doubled down on the Apple Watch as a connected health device since 2019, what’s your take on the state of wearables and wellness devices?
Have we progressed? Or has progress stalled?
Have privacy demands overtaken earlier health tech hopes?
Send me a note with your take.
Greg Kahn
Emerging Tech Exchange
Founder & CEO
