Eight More Aging and Health Innovations from CES 2024

The show is over, the press dispersed, the awards won.   CES 2024 is over, with 135,000 attendees, and AI as the story of the show, and according to AARP, offering the promise of better aging and even helping to fix the caregiving crisis.  These assertions have been made before, of course.  Consider 2020, right before the start of COVID-19. Or CES 2019, when Google Assistant was everywhere and today, when it appears to be ‘going down the tubes.’  In tech, nothing is forever, though.  CES can provide an opportunity to put a new face, new version, on products that appeared previously (see Nobi and Zibrio Advantage below.)  CES 2024 brought ten offerings of new tech for older adults into view.  And from the same show, here are 8 more:

AAVAA. "The vendor offers a sophisticated ‘head mouse,’ decoding the user’s intent and subtle commands such as head and eye movements, blinks, winks, and other facial gestures. This innovative technology allows users, including those with mobility impairments, to control devices such as phones, tablets, smart home devices, and wheelchairs through simple movements, revolutionizing the way they interact with technology and the world around them." Learn more.

Concha Labs. "While Concha Labs hearing aids must be FDA approved before being sold in the United States, the combined technology and discreet profile of this product presents some exciting possibilities. Not only is the lineup sold to blend into four different skin tones, but it also features patented Soundscope technology that allows users to create a series of hearing profiles to match specific situations. Many similar hearing aids have preset sound profiles, but this is the most emphasis we’ve seen on actually making your own." Learn more.

Dreamface Ryan. "At Dream Face, we are developing socially assistive robots that ease the workload of caregivers and provide support to aging adults. Socially assistive robots like "Ryan" reduce caregiver workload by supplementing important daily tasks such as conversing with residents and faciliting game play. Aging adults who interact with Ryan recieve conversational, cognitive, and physical exericse support. Daily interaction with Ryan can lead to enhanced memory and cognition and gives a new perspective on independence for those who want to continue to live in their own homes." Learn more.

Glidance Glide.  "Glidance Inc. has been developing Glide, a robotic walking aid for people with vision impairments. The Seattle-based company’s device has an ergonomic handle, and its sensors are designed to help users avoid obstacles, find waypoints on maps, and stop at stairs and elevators." Learn more.

MapHabit. "MapHabit helps people with dementia or intellectual disabilities live out their daily lives by providing powerful visual cues that help them complete tasks we take for granted. Our technology platform allows any caregiver to easily create and share content that builds or maintains independence and share that content with their care team and anyone else on the MapHabit platform." Learn more.

Nobi Ceiling. "Nobi, a provider of innovative AgeTech solutions, today announced the launch of Nobi Ceiling, a ceiling-mounted version of its award-winning AI-powered Smart Lamps that detects and prevents falls as well as monitors older adults' health and activity patterns. Already a proven care tech device in the European market and senior living facilities in the U.S., Nobi also announced plans to bring its full line of smart lamps directly to U.S. consumers in 2024." Learn more.

WIM from WIRobotics. "Ultra-lightweight walking assist wearable robot that aims to promote healthy living through daily walking exercise. Walking is the most basic form of exercise that can be easily incorporated into the daily routine. Walking as an effective exercise requires proper posture, an optimal pace and a certain amount of time. WIM^TM makes walking an easy and efficient exercise." Learn more.

Zibrio Advantage. "Designed with seniors in mind, Zibrio Advantage is both durable for clinical settings and user-friendly for home use. It provides accurate data for improved balance and fall prevention, giving seniors valuable insights into their well-being, including predicting the likelihood of a fall in the next 12 months." Learn more.