Why Are the Media’s Digital Health Discoveries at CES At Least Somewhat Serendipitous?

As I prepared to attend the 2025 edition of the world-renowned Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, my contacts made one request over and over: “Let us know which digital health innovations stand out to you as an expert!“ The quest to identify the outstanding innovations is of course the main goal for many participants. They want to identify what stands out, is meaningful for the future of technology, will attract investment or readers of their contents. Yet, it’s not so clear that we can answer this question in any objective way.

Why is it difficult for the CES visitor to objectively identify the best digital health innovations? At such a large-scale event and even with advance prep, it would require a lot of people power to identify the best digital health innovations of the entire selection and to go deep in the analysis. Even if you choose a subset of digital health, the information made available on site by the exhibitors would likely not be sufficient for an objective comparison. And the challenged is multiplied almost infinitely if you are there to consider all of digital health products for consumers and professionals. While the name of the event is the “Consumer Electronics Show,” the products and services displayed are both B2C and B2B.

I took the photo above at the LG exhibit. The visual is striking. I was walking through the various LG displays, when I suddenly found myself in front of a large screen flashing data coming in “real time” whenever any of the LG team sat in the driver’s seat.

This is part of LG’s “VISION AI Mobility Concept: A safe, convenient, and hyper-personalized mobility experience. Analyzing occupants and diverse in-cabin situations in real-time.“ Even if you have been following the concept of connected cars and seats for airline pilots for the past few years, when you see the demo, it’s hard not to be impressed by the positive safety aspects, but as well by the privacy and confidentiality concerns. Seeing this connected car display hosted by a consumer brand exhibit, and surrounded by other consumer brands collecting our data in the home 24/7, we are even more aware of those data privacy issues. How do we weigh-in on this innovation? Is there already data demonstrating the cost benefit?

Realizing that the products that came to my attention were not being filtered through a scientific method, I imagined that this was likely the case for other reviewers as well. So, I decided to start my CES 2025 review by examining the CES 2025 innovations highlighted in articles published during and right after CES 2025. The contents of those articles are also influenced by factors such as the country of origin and language of the writer. I’ll also do a follow-up article curating the lists featured in French articles.

This diversity adds to the challenges of approaching CES with a background of attending digital health conferences where speakers present published data. Consider the following factors that complicate objective analysis.

1. Challenge of Navigating All of Digital Health at CES

The CES boasts over 4,000 exhibitors, spread across two major venues—the Las Vegas Convention Center and Eureka Park (located within the Venetian Hotel complex). While Eureka Park has a dedicated section for digital health, the landscape is far more complex. Digital health innovations can also be found in most country exhibitions (dedicated floor space, like “Choose France” or “JapanTech” in which a country invites its start-ups to feature their products) and within the exhibits of major brands like Samsung, LG, and Panasonic. Some exhibitors host their serious conversations away from the busy show floors, in private business suites that require appointments to visit.

2. Diverse Stages of Product Development of the Exhibits

The innovations showcased at CES vary greatly in terms of maturity. Some exhibitors present concepts with non-functional mock-ups, seeking feedback on early ideas, while others display fully developed products for which published research can be found and that are available for purchase. This vast range of readiness makes it difficult to pinpoint one clear standout.

3. The Regulatory Landscape and Clinical Validation Requirements in Healthcare

While many exhibitors refer to regulatory milestones and approvals, the majority of the innovations on display are still far from reaching that stage. CES isn’t the ideal environment for collecting clinical data analysis, as the focus in the conference program is often on high-level discussions and fireside chats, rather than in-depth research presentations and the public exhibit stand does not lend itself to go into such detail.

 4. The Human Element of CES and Private Meteings

As with any trade show, a significant portion of the value comes from human connection. Networking, reconnecting with established contacts, and forging new relationships can be as impactful as the innovations themselves. And, by definition, we don’t know the results of private meetings in the adjacent room, that may well lead to quite significant partnerships…sort of the Dark CES, but in a good way.

Which Digital Health products were cited in the post CES 2025 media?

So, how did other articles present their selection of noteworthy digital health articles? How much overlap was there amongst the picks? I selected the most detailed articles citing innovative digital health products between January 7th and 15th, 2025, and extracted the products. The serendipitous nature of what makes a standout innovation will come through as you see the diversity of the lists.

1st Article: “Luxury Smart Rings to the Mirror That Checks Your Vitals: The Top Health Tech at CES 2025”

(EuroNews) Jan 9, 2025 : https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/01/09/luxury-smart-rings-to-the-mirror-that-checks-your-vitals-the-top-health-tech-at-ces-2025

Products Presented:

• **Ultrahuman’s « RARE » Luxury Smart Ring** (UK and India)

  – Rings made of 18K gold or platinum in three colors: desert rose, dune, and desert snow. Tracks sleep, movement, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), stress, skin temperature, and coffee consumption. “Caffeine Window,” advising optimal timing for coffee consumption for better sleep.

  – Around €2,000 (\$2,000). Launch: Paris and London (Au Printemps and Selfridges).

• The AI Stethoscope (Smartsound, S. Korea)

  – At-home stethoscope for humans and pets.Detects lung and heart health, fetal movements, and cardiopulmonary sounds within minutes using AI.

2nd Article: “15 Promising HealthTech Innovations That Stole the Show”

Products Presented:

• MedicosBiotech’s Chronic Wound Care Solution (S. Korea)

  – AI with spider silk protein-based patches to improve wound healing outcomes.

  – Accompanying app analyzes wound images and suggests treatments.

• Asahi Kasei targeted micro-devices (Japan)
  • Battery-Free Diaper  – Notifies caregivers when it’s time for a change, powered by moisture.
  • Fall detection system that tracks movement with millimeter-wave radar
  • Contactless stethoscope
    
• OnMed Care Station “Clinic in a Box” (US) (CES Picks Award Winner)

  – Real-time doctor consultations, vital checks, e-prescriptions, and specialist referrals.

  – Features advanced diagnostic tools and self-sanitizing systems.

• Nuvilab’s Real-Time AI Food Scanner (S. Korea)

  – Instantly recognizes and analyzes food, offering nutrition reports and menu suggestions.

• Variowell’s Thermal Comfort Topper, Pepaminto (Germany)

  – Monitors heart rate and body zones like feet and lower back.

  – Tracks air quality and adjusts for personalized rest.

• Humans in Motion Robotics’s XoMotion (Canada)

  – Hands-free exoskeleton designed to help patients regain mobility and ease therapists’ strain.

  – Won a CES Innovation Award.

• Zepp Health’s Amazfit Foodlogger (US)

  – Uses sensors and AI to analyze meals and sync data with the Amazfit Zepp App (prototype).

• InTheTech digital therapy platform (S. Korea)
  • EYAS : For patients with mild cognitive impairment and ADHD, eye-tracking and cognitive training to improve focus and track progress
  • COGPLAY: home-based brain training platform
• Noul’s Digital Microscope (S Korea)

AI powered digital microscope processes samples in 15 minutes. High resolution images and diagnostic insights.

• AARP AgeTech Collaborative : marketplace and a web app enabling visitors to connect with multiple products
• FlowBeam (Netherlands) : BoldJet Needle free injection system using lasers to deliver vaccines, insulin, Botox.
• Eli’s Hormometer (Canada) : portable device to track hormone (cortisone and progesterone) levels at home via saliva
• Withings Omnia Mirror (US, France) : reads vital stats when standing in front of mirror and compares and tracks them
• Mij’s thermal load activewear (US): continuous tracking of body temperature and humidity.
• Vivoo  (US) at home health test kit  for reproductive health.  Tests for ovulation, fertility, vaginal pH ?

3^rd article “Highlights from CES 2025 in AI, Robots, Glasses, Health and More”

Jan 13, 2025 Forbes

Products Presented:

• Psyonic Ability Hand  (US)

A next-level bionic innovation with advanced sensory feedback, providing users and robots with unprecedented control and dexterity. It’s revolutionary for assistive technology, enabling people with limb differences to regain functional independence.

• Abbott Lingo Continuous Glucose Monitoring (USA)

Non-invasive glucose monitor to track  wellness. Uses a biosensor based on CGM technology already used globally. $50.

• Realbotix,  Aria, a life-size AI robot

Expresses emotions and engages in conversations. Fluid movements and modular design. Suitable for personal companionship.

4th article “CES 2025 shows digital health innovations “

11 Jan 2025 (Dutch website)

Previously cited: Flowbeams (NL)

• Recovery Welltech Solutions  (UK): ERA Smart sleep system for personalized sleep insights. CES Innovation Award.
• Samsung’s C-Lab startups (S Korea) innovative projects receiving CES 2025 Innovation Awards.
• 1NA, (NL)  platform for observation of DNA-protein interactions, for rare disease drug development
• Alphabeats (US) : relaxation app with headphones: find  right focus before a competition or fall asleep. The more you relax, the better the music sounds – you are rewarded immediately.
• AI and IoT integration include LabSD’s (S. Korea) digital ophthalmoscope for teleophthalmology and
• Meditrix’s (S Korea) VR-based neuro-biofeedback motion chair.

5^th article: Chinese wellness tech rises at CES 2025

 Jan 13 “Tech in Asia“ :

Products presented

• Laifen oscillating electric toothbrush endorsed by dental professionals.
• Elehear  over-the-counter hearing aids with music streaming and AI language translation. US$399 vs traditional hearing aid $4,000 – $8,000.

6^th article: Dozens of Israeli consumer-tech startups dazzle at CES

• Synoia, clinic-level skincare at home. IoT-enabled device  WISHPro.
• TempraMed, maker of the VIVI cap that protects insulin (and other temperature-sensitive medications), without batteries, and lets user track injections. 
• Intuition Robotics, which designs social companion technologies intended for older adults. 
• CalmiGo  (cited above ) Patented technology-based exhaler device with immediate drug-free relief in moments of anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD. CES 2025 Innovation Award

7^th article: CES 2025: Top 10 roundup  (all categories)

Jan 15, 2025

Products presented

• Eli Health Hormometer (cited above)a CES award for Best of Innovation in Digital Health : Lab-grade precision through a simple saliva sample at home.
  Not yet available, there is a wait-list that can be joined.
• Glide by Glidance (US)Sensible Wayfinding technology guides the visually challenged user. Beta testing, Glide is available for consumer preorders in 2026.

Umi (Panasonic Well US)A digital assistant for a “family wellness platform and coach.” Umi aims to build stronger families by creating healthy habits, bettering communication, and simplifying organization.  Available in the US in 2025.

Cell Bioprint (L’Oréal France). Personalized and detailed skin analysis in  five minutes. Compact device calculates how fast skin is aging based on protein composition in the body and advises on products. Will pilot in Asia r in 2025.

Omnia (Withings US / France) “Transformative experience that reimagines digital health possibilities” by offering a holistic view of the user’s vital indicators, in a mirror. The product on show will remain a concept, its capabilities are found across Withings products.

Among the observations:

A few dozen digital health products were cited; only a small portion are among the CES 2025 digital health award recipients. American and Korean companies were often featured. Few were repeated in more than one article. They include the Omnia mirror from Withings, a concept demo, (whereas functioning mirrors from other companies with small exhibit stands and lesser known brands were not cited). The Eli Health Hormometer was also mentioned more than once.

What About My Personal Favorites?

After observing a wide range of innovations during my own visit, discussing with other visitors, and looking at the media coverage, there are certain products that resonate with me as noteworthy, thanks to their potential to make a real-world impact on health. Stay tuned for my next article on CES 2025.

What are your thoughts? Don’t hesitate to contact me on LinkedIn!

Denise SIlber